text:
The United States is in the final month of election madness. There has been much discussion here about liberals, progressives or the left and Obama and how liberals react to the inclusion of third party candidates in elections. The Dissenter will continue to cover delusions among liberals about this election.
Last week, I wrote about the illusion of democracy in the 2012 election. I went on the excellent radio program, Radio Dispatch, with hosts John Knefel and Molly Knefel and discussed the post. Particularly, I highlighted how the run of Ralph Nader in the 2000 Election has been transformed into an impediment to discussions and efforts to further democratize elections. I also talked about what I called the "Five Stages of Support for Obama."
The program can be listened to here or here. My segment begins around the 11-minute mark.
Both Molly and John had some excellent questions for me during my appearance. They gave me ample amount of time to share my views as well.
John asked me about Obama's personality. He said Obama has become known as the "Trust Me" president and that has allowed for infringements of civil liberties that progressives tolerate and celebrate because of trust invested in him and added this is "fundamentally anti-democratic in a disturbing way" and he thought it had been a troubling trend.
I gave a complete reaction and addressed the reality that I am a person of white privilege. Then, I made clear my belief that the folks over at Black Agenda Report really are on to something. I did not mention this specifically, but, as Glen Ford, Executive Editor of BAR has stated, he is and has been the more effective evil, able to institute atrocious policies domestically and abroad, which George W. Bush would not have been able to institute if he had tried to do so as president. Obama has been able to do this under cover of the label "First Black President." And, I noted various issues that have gone tremendously ignored in African-American communities, such as mass incarceration, segregation in schools and austerity measures that further contribute to poverty and unemployment.
One myth promoted by liberals is that people who vote third party are able to do so because they are privileged. They are doing it because they can and there will be no impact to them socially if it "spoiled" the election of the Democrat and the Republican happened to win.
I addressed the myth:
…If you think about the struggles between low-wage farm workers against their owners, if you think the strikers in the Walmart warehouses and you think about their masters, their owners, you think their people who are dictating the conditions, which they work in—Those [owners] are actually counting on those low-wage workers and those warehouse workers not questioning those conditions, not rising up because they're going to put their job at risk and they're going to be cast out. Or, they're not going to be able to continue working because they decided to raise a fuss. So, they're saying you wouldn't resist what we do to you because you know you are going to be on your own. But, if you talk to a lot of those workers who have decided to rise up, like the people who just negotiated a fair food contract with Chipotle, you see that they're tremendously empowered by not letting those conditions dictate how they engage in resistance.
And, I would say that is almost analogous to us. In some cases, we are slaves to the two-party system and continue to submit to its conditions and the fact that we continue to do so is because we have been led to believe that there is nothing we can do besides play inside the box and so, if we step outside the box, we're going to be in trouble, we're going to lose. But I would say that is a short term issue, that we are thinking about it all in the short-term. You might actually stand to gain much more in the long term by stepping outside…
Molly read an exceptional piece of listener mail at the end of the hour program that tied into much of what I had said during my segment:
First, I am a white man that has experienced privilege and used it to survive. I know that. Second, I have loved and supported a dear woman for forty-two years, who has put all her strength into fighting for vulnerable women—everything from a food co-op to a rape crisis center to research of non-English speaking women and healthcare.
She and I are in agreement. We have had it with voting for the evil of two lessers and we won't do it again. Every leader we knew in our youth—Martin Luther King, Jr, John and Robert Kennedy, Mark Clark and Fred Hamptom, draftees from our community to Vietnam, tens of leaders from the Black Panther Party (the real one), students at Kent State and Jackson State—were killed when we were young. Going into electoral politics was not an option. We felt our lives were at risk just speaking out and all our energy went to surviving and keeping the work going.
I personally spoke out against the war while in uniform, fully expecting to spend my life in prison. The massive resistance to the war saved my white neck. At a point, however, despite the oppressive violence, things eased a bit and we felt we had won a space to go into electoral politics and build a progressive base. We were wrong. Obama's a good example of the failure. He first ran trying to unseat a former Panther leader, who was on the Chicago City Council, Bobby Rush. He lost and I forgot Obama did that. Stupid me.
Obama has continued Republican foreign policy and is prepared to compromise on domestic issues to a degree that is really terrifying. He has appointed women to the Supreme Court, who will—I am sure—vote to limit Roe v. Wade when the time comes. He has put into place a healthcare system that will do absolutely nothing to quell the bankruptcies of families swamped by healthcare costs. I have personal experience with this, as my brother recently successfully went into bankruptcy over healthcare costs. Obama's ACA will soon enough become swamped with uninsured people and raising costs and we will have to fight tooth and nail for the thirty or so million left out by the system.
Essentially, our experience is that we should not delude ourselves into thinking that one man can protect our lives from above. Obama is just a man and a relatively weak one. If we don't have organized people from below, we are fucked.
Now the question is, should we vote for Obama in the short-term because he can in the short run protect what rights we have won and give us time to further organize? Our answer: no. Obama is going to sell us out. We are going to war with Iran, no doubt about it, and it is going to take us down a path of horrific violence and oppression. So, we are not voting for the bastard again.
Like the hosts said, this listener does not mince words and it provides a context to help people hopefully understand that people on the left were once getting killed. The stakes seem a bit lower now, which is all the more reason to stand up and fight for what is right.
John praised Firedoglake as "one of the most reliable sources for information that is very, very critical of the Democratic Party and very, very much to the left of the Democratic Party. They were an indispensable source for information during the health care debate and continue to be indispensable, especially with drone stuff that has been happening."
The praise should be returned. So, I want all who read this to know that these two people put a lot of thought and work into producing their one-hour radio program. They always are discussing subjects that should be hot topics not just among progressives but among all citizens. And they a display a great journalistic commitment to question conventional wisdom and fully explore the nuances of subjects so listeners have a more complete understanding of issues.
After my segment, Molly said she thought it was important what was raised about Obama's campaign and how it informs conversation amongst people on the left or informs their perceptions of him. She said she wanted to further the conversation and get more voices involved in a discussion so, after listening to the program, I encourage all readers to send comments to radiodispatch[at]gmail[dot]com.
Again, the program can be listened to here. My segment begins around the 11-minute mark. And, if you enjoy the show, consider following Molly and John on Twitter at @mollyknefel and @johnknefel.


text:
The UK's fastest-growing regional news network
See the full forecast for your area.
Sponsored by Britelite.
Home Canterbury News Article
Hollywood star Hayley Atwell has caused a Twitter stir after joking it was a "shame" naturists were not welcome on a Whitstable beach.
The Captain America actress tweeted a picture of Long Rock in Swalecliffe with a council notice stating naturism was not condoned.
The British star, who also appeared alongside Ray Winstone and Plan B in action flick The Sweeney, posted: "Oh. That's a shame. I love standing naked on a British beach in winter. Who doesn't?"
The comments received more than 30 retweets from her followers and were also made a favourite by 66 users.
She later tweeted she was being sarcastic when questioned if she was serious about her views on naturism.
Naturist-friendly websites say signs dissuading people from using the beach were built after "morons" offended walkers passing along a nearby footpath.
Oh. That's a shame. I love standing naked on a British beach in winter. Who doesn't? pic.twitter.com/RYbd2C5CaP
— Hayley Atwell (@HayleyAtwell) January 13, 2014
The Walking Club, which promotes hikes in London and the south east, also gives tips from visiting nudists about the best places to hang loose.
One said: "I visited Long Rock last year and found a few men who had dug out the shingle to lay in.
"One chap was very pleasant and helpful and told me about discretion and a good place to settle, but another came over soon after and was very nasty, saying they did not want 'intruders' there."
They added: "I just wanted a quiet place with my book and to enjoy a bit of sunshine for an hour or so but felt intimidated and left.
"I guess if more people use this, rather like Botany Bay, it will keep it established for future use by like-minded folk. I do intend to visit again."
Another was pleased "unpleasant" smells caused by the sewage works no longer wafted onto the beach.
Swalecliffe councillor Ian Thomas said naturists were known to meet under a 12ft bank away from public view, but added no concerns had been raised for about seven years.
He said: "I go down there with the dogs very regularly and I haven't seen anyone who has concerned me for years.
"Mind you, I don't go looking for them."
British Naturism spokesman Brian Taylor said it is perfectly legal to strip off on any public beach - provided it does not cause alarm or distress.
He said: "If there is a section of Long Rock beach that is normally quiet then it is very likely that it will have been used by naturists at some time.
"Sadly it can only take one complaint from a prudish person for council officials to believe that they 'must do something' so notices may appear.
"At least the notice says 'not condoned', which doesn't mean it cannot be practised.
"Some councils make the mistake of attempting a ban, which is strictly illegal, unlike the naturism in the first place."
Click here for more news from Canterbury.
Click here for more news from around the county.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Environment in Africa
- Today
- Past 7 Days
- Past Month
- Past Year
- Specific Date Range
- Date
South Africa economic update : focus on green growth
The global financial roller coaster, with the Euro zone as its lead car, has hit economic prospects across the globe. The South African economy, with its close links... Show More +
Mainstreaming environment in the implementation of PRSPs in Sub-Saharan Africa
The current assessment builds on previously published reviews of poverty reduction strategy programs (PRSPs), and is the sixth report in a series. This paper aims at... Show More +
Tanzania's cashew sector: constraints and challenges in a global environment
cashews are an important export for Tanzania and an important source of income for small farmers in the southern coastal region. The sector has made a remarkable recovery... Show More +
Microfinance institutions' response in conflict environments : Eritrea - Savings and Micro Credit Program, West Bank and Gaza - Palestine for Credit and Development, Haiti - Micro Crédit National, S.A.
Minimizing the constraint of sustainable access to finance through the services extended by micro finance institutions has increasingly enabled poor entrepreneurs to... Show More +
Tanzania's cotton sector : constraints and challenges in a global environment
Cotton is Tanzania's largest export crop after coffee. Most cotton is exported, contributing $90 million to export earnings. Labor is the major input - cotton provides... Show More +
Country assistance strategies and the environment
This report is the outcome of a Country Assistance Strategy and Environment program that was started and aimed to identify practical constraints to incorporating environmental... Show More +
The foreign direct investment environment in Africa
This paper discusses the legal, business, and economic environment for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Sub-Saharan Africa. It finds that despite recent improvements,... Show More +
Mainstreaming environment in country assistance strategies
The purpose of this report is to review the current situation regarding the environment, within the current Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) focus, and distill good... Show More +
South Africa - The business environment for industrial small and medium enterprises
To resolve South Africa's pressing unemployment problems, the country urgently needs to move towards a more labor-demanding pattern of growth. As it emerges from the... Show More +
Managing the Environment Locally in Sub-Saharan Africa (MELISSA)
Sub-Saharan Africa is the fastest urbanizing region in the world. Fast-growing cities are experiencing a range of environmental problems similar to other areas of the... Show More +
Urban planning and environment in Sub-Saharan Africa
Although still partly nomadic and just beginning the development of its rural areas, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is in the midst of a rapid urbanization phase. From an... Show More +
Staff loss and retention at selected African universities : a synthesis report
A project was carried out to obtain information on academic staffing in seven African universities, and to analyze the factors influencing academic staff to leave universities... Show More +
Environment in the Africa region portfolio : a report
This review tries to reveal early signs of trouble and draw lessons for putting into operation the National Environmental Action Plans (NEAPs) being established for... Show More +
The population, agriculture and environment nexus in Sub-Saharan Africa
Over the past 30 years, most of Sub-Saharan Africa has seen very rapid population growth, poor agricultural performance, and increasing environmental degradation. Why... Show More +
The population, agriculture and environment nexus in sub-Saharan Africa
Over the past thirty years, most of sub-Saharan Africa has experienced very rapid population growth, poor agricultural growth and severe environmental degradation. ... Show More +


text:
Jump to main content.
National Center for Environmental Economics
Contact Us
All EPA
Upcoming Events
Past Seminars
Past Workshops
Seminars with Video
Date(s): December 9, 2008 (1:30 to 3:00 pm)
Location: Room 1117A, EPA East
Presenter: Richard Lindzen (MIT)
Description: This is the first of three seminars on the science of global warming from widely different viewpoints. While global warming is frequently presented as a single phenomenon that one either believes in or denies, the real situation is, unsurprisingly, much more complex in the presenter's view. There are, in fact, certain aspects of the issue on which a substantial measure of agreement exists: namely, that global mean temperature has increased a few tenths of a degree since the 19th Century, and that increases in atmospheric CO2 have contributed some part of this warming. He examines some approaches to determining exactly how much of observed warming is actually due to anthropogenic greenhouse forcing, and how explicit feedbacks are involved in these results. However, the connection of this warming to catastrophic projections is extremely tenuous in his view. Moreover, proposed mitigation policies have little relevance to warming regardless of the level of warming expected. Understanding these 'disconnects' not only helps one to assess the overall situation rationally, but also permits one to see how the issue is being improperly exploited in Dr. Lindzen's view.
Dr. Lindzen is the Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Meteorology at MIT. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and has authored or co-authored over 200 professional journal articles.
Presentation Slides (PDF) (PDF, 4,643 kb, About PDF)
This presentation has neither been reviewed nor approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The views expressed by the presenter are entirely their own. The contents do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
Download Higher Resolution Video (QuickTime format, 275 MB)


text:
This item has been discontinued and is no longer available
My name is modelname
Ordering for a Team?
Let our Team Division Help!
Item has a Minimum Qty
NEW!Now you can comment & reply on customer reviews. Simply click "comment" below any review.
As a triathlete with thighs, this is the first pair of tri shorts that has not made me feel like a sausage squeezed out of its casing. Good grip at legs without the binding feelings of others.
Report abuse
Your comment has been posted.
I wear a large according to the size chart, and the large fit me fine. However, I am not impressed with these shorts. The waist band folds in half constantly, they roll up on the thighs, and the padding is essentially just a piece of fleece fabric. Maybe okay for shorter rides, but not for anything of distance.
This is my 4th pair of Desoto Tri Shorts! I am an avid trail runner and also road biker, and these shorts are a must for any type of workout! I also teach boot camp classes and these shorts are great under other workout shorts for added support! These shorts stay put and don't ride up when running, biking, or working out!
I bought these shorts for a triathlon. I received them pretty quickly, tried them on and immediately knew that I needed to return them. The low rise fit is not good for a lady with hips. Can I say muffin top galore! I like this brand, just not the style.The great thing about these shorts is that they don't give you sausage legs like other tri shorts I've tried on. I ordered a different style and love them!
These are great fitting shorts. The elastic waste band seems to fold in half though, which is a big bummer. The padding in the seat leaves a little more to be desired, but overall these shorts are great for short rides.
I ordered these in a large in light of comments they run small...still felt like a stuffed sausage. I am a size 6 generally, and don't feel I should need to buy an xl. Back they go!
I took everyone's advice and bought a medium although I usually wear a small and they fit perfectly. These are super comfortable to ride my bike and run in.
This is very small. I suggest you order at least a size larger than normal. Looked great in the package but couldn't even get it on.
DeSoto tri shorts are THE BEST. Although I need medium when I am normally a small...
Super comfortable. Have only used it in spin class so far but by the material and light weight I am looking forward to racing in a sprint tri with them.
Get an alert when we add new styles of DeSoto! Simply sign up and we'll notify you.
The founders of DeSoto are Emilio De Soto and Dan Neyenhuis. Emilio De Soto is a triathlete who is racing in his 27th consecutive season of triathlon competition. He is also fully immersed in his athletic lifestyle as a fitness trainer and coach. Dan Neyenhuis is an age-grouper triathlete who has been helicopter skiing for 20 years. Together, they created a company that designs cutting edge triathlon gear for triathletes, by triathletes.
DeSoto gear is designed to enhance performance in each leg of the race. The founders created the first mesh running cap, zippered tri tops, pocketed tri shorts, transition packs, tri suits, and tri shorts with discreet pads for cycling.
One of their other achievements was creating the DeSoto T1 triathlon wetsuit that is two pieces instead of one. The DeSoto T1 triathlon wetsuit was designed to make a better fit for triathletes, and each year, more DeSoto tri tops and DeSoto tri shorts are being added to the line. DeSoto is still the only company in the world that makes a two-piece triathlon wetsuit.