BILL TO PROTECT BOBCATS PASSES LEGISLATURE
Local legislators divided on measure Photo: Bobcat family in Lakeside, photo by Billy Ortiz September 13, 2013 (Sacramento) – A bill to prohibit trapping of bobcats around public parks and wildlife refuges in California is now on the Governor’s desk awaiting signature. The bill, AB 1213, would also prohibit trapping bobcats on private property without the landowner’s permission. An estimated 1,813 bobcats were killed in the 2011-2012 license season, up 51% over the prior year. The vast majority of those (1,499) were taken by trappers, the rest by hunters. Bobcat pelt prices have soared from $78 in 2009 to over $700 today, the Los Angeles Times reported. The bill arose after an outcry over traps set on private property around Joshua Tree National Park. But trapping is decimating populations of bobcats in other areas, too. Among local legislators, state Senators Marty Block and Ben Hueso, both Democrats voted for the bill, while Republicans Joel Anderson and Mary Wyland voted against protecting bobcats. In the Assembly, Republican Brian Maienschein joined with Democrats Toni Atkins, Lorena Gonzalez and Shirley Weber in voting for the bill; Republicans Rocky Chavez and Marie Waldron voted against it.
Lightning Show In Ocotillo
September 12, 2012 (Ocotillo)- Photographer Jim Pelley captures lightning show over a wind project in the Ocotillo desert.
READER’S EDITORIAL: ONE STRANGE DAY IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
“We are seeing something quite strange, and unique. We are watching national leaders contact each other though the media and do media diplomacy.” – Nadin Abbott By Nadin Abbott September 12, 2013 (San Diego) — Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin had an editorial accepted and published by the New York Times. This diplomacy by newspaper is highly unusual, and the editorial was a remarkable piece of writing. The first part of the essay made me think back to the end of World War II: The United Nations’ founders understood that decisions affecting war and peace should happen only by consensus, and with America’s consent the veto by Security Council permanent members was enshrined in the United Nations Charter. The profound wisdom of this has underpinned the stability of international relations for decades. No one wants the United Nations to suffer the fate of the League of Nations, which collapsed because it lacked real leverage. This is possible if influential countries bypass the United Nations and take military action without Security Council authorization. At the end of World War II, the United States started to work carefully on creating the United Nations. The first formal meeting of the UN was the San Francisco Conference on April 25, 1945. It followed the ideas first proposed for an international organization at the Yalta Conference at the end of the war. This organization was the brain child of President Franklin Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Premiere Joseph Stalin. They wanted an organization that would prevent another conflagration. One of the things agreed to was the Security Council and the concept of a veto for the five largest victorious allies. This is why the US, Russia, France, China and England sit as permanent members with veto power. While Putin reminds us of this, Russia has not always been a straight shooter or gone to the U.N. either. The crisis on Christmas day 1979, when Soviet paratroopers landed in Kabul, is one example. The U.S. boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics as protest of that invasion. Russian intervention into the Georgian Republic on its southern flank in 2008 was also without U.N. sanction, but nevertheless, this was remarkable as it reminded Americans that the Security Council is in many ways an American creation. Then there is this in Putin’s essay: A strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism. It could undermine multilateral efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and further destabilize the Middle East and North Africa. It could throw the entire system of international law and order out of balance. The Russians are concerned about terrorism not only during the upcoming Olympic Games at Sochi, but also of a new wave of Muslim terror inside the motherland. There have been several attacks, some of which have even led to breaking news on CNN. They mostly concerned both Chechen Wars. Chechnya is a former Soviet Republic, which Russia has kept under control under brutal means. The essay is also is remarkable at reminding us the careful balance in international relations. The bolded line is very reminiscent of the language used by diplomats in the 1930s, before World War II, when Germany started to rearm. The Russians are not comparing us to the Third Reich, they are stating that from their point of view, further strikes will encourage others to do the same. This is also why Putin reminds American readers that the U.S. and Soviets were once allies fighting the fascists during the World War II. Putin did emphasize though why the Security Council is important, and the principles of self-defense in the U.N. Charter. Under current international law, force is permitted only in self-defense or by the decision of the Security Council. Anything else is unacceptable under the United Nations Charter and would constitute an act of aggression. He also wrote something else in the essay that those of us who travel abroad are hearing as well. So this is not new to me. This may even pose a problem for people trying to do business abroad. Millions around the world increasingly see America not as a model of democracy but as relying solely on brute force, cobbling coalitions together under the slogan “you’re either with us or against us.” The echoes of the 1930s are strong in the essay and I am sure were not missed by the White House. In fact, this section was answered shortly thereafter by the White House, through CNN, and James Tapper’s blog. It is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional, whatever the motivation. There are big countries and small countries, rich and poor, those with long democratic traditions and those still finding their way to democracy. Their policies differ, too. We are all different, but when we ask for the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal. And here is the White House response. (For a full link, here is the CNN article. Both Putin’s essay and the White House response are worth the full read.) “That’s all irrelevant,” the White House official said in response. “He put this proposal forward and he’s now invested in it. That’s good. That’s the best possible reaction. He’s fully invested in Syria’s CW disarmament and that’s potentially better than a military strike – which would deter and degrade but wouldn’t get rid of all the chemical weapons. He now owns this. He has fully asserted ownership of it and he needs to deliver.” We are seeing something quite strange, and unique. We are watching national leaders contact each other though the media and do media diplomacy. As we have been joking in a moment of levity, next comes the open Twitter feed. But all joking to the side, there is more to the Russian i ntent. This morning Russian Times (RT) reported that Russian assets crossed Gibraltar on the Western end of the Mediterranean, en route to the East, where the US
SAN DIEGAN JIM BELL TO PRESENT FINDINGS AT CHINA’S 2013 LOW CARBON EARTH SUMMIT
September 12, 2013 (San Diego) – Jim Bell, a San Diego expert on developing cost-effective and life-support-system-effective (low and carbon free) economies, will present his findings on creating a sustainable future at the Low Carbon Earth Summit in Xi’an, China, held September 26-28. Founder of the Ecological Life Systems Institute, a division of the Heartland Coalition, Bell will instruct conference attendees how efficient energy use and renewable energy development are foundational to the long term success of regional and national economies worldwide. He will also show how renewably produced, carbon free electricity can be used to make regions and countries renewable energy, water and food self-sufficient, in life-support sustaining ways. Additionally, he will show how true-cost and cradle to cradle pricing can be used to create real, mutually beneficial, free-market economies. When all the health and life-support system costs caused by the products and services offered in the marketplace are included in their retail price, the free-market system will quickly eliminate the pollution and human and life-support damage caused by them, Bell’s research indicates. Bell will also share his strategy for slowly reducing world population and developing a Space Debris Defense System to protect our planet from space objects large enough to cause catastrophic life-support damage if they collide with us. The 3rd Low Carbon Earth Summit, www.lcesummit.com (LCES) will bring over 1,500 attendees from over 50 countries to Xi’an, China. The conference features ten tracks consisting of 460+topics, in the areas of emission trade, financial investment companies, regulatory authorities, innovative technology developers and scientists presenting emerging possibilities in Low Carbon Industries and Technologies. Jim Bell is the author of two books: Achieving Eco-nomic Security on Spaceship Earth, and Creating a Sustainable Economy and Future On Our Planet. He has also written and co-authored numerous papers and essays on how to create a life-support sustaining future on earth. His on the ground projects include the design and construction of the San Diego Center for Appropriate Technology, Co-director and Construction Manager of Ecoparque, a prototype wastewater recycling plant in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico and the Ecological Designer of the Ocean Beach Organic Food Cooperative. His presentation in China is based on his “Consciousness & Knowledge” paper. This paper is free to send out to others and print out at www.jimbell.com, click on the “Consciousness & Knowledge” button on his home page.
ASSEMBLYMAN JONES CONDEMNS THE “GUT AND AMEND” PROCESS
September 12, 2013 (Sacramento) – As the first year of the 2013-14 Legislative Session comes to a close, Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) has issued a statement condemning the “gut and amend” process. A common practice in the final days of session that circumvents public review, a “gut and amend” is when a bill is stripped and replaced with completely unrelated language. Jones says, “It’s one of their favorite, sneaky maneuvers to keep the public out of the process.” Some of the most recent examples include: Assembly Bill (AB) 640 pertained to cigarettes and tobacco but now requires condoms to be used in pornography. AB 604 pertained to eyewitness identification of criminals but now regulates medical cannabis. AB 1024 pertained to cooperative housing but now would allow undocumented immigrants who pass the California state bar exam to obtain a law license. Jones added, “This outrageous practice signals to you, the voter, that the legislature just doesn’t care what you think. This last minute funny business is good for only the power hungry government unions and special interests.” For Audio – Click Here For Video – Click Here
NEW GRANT TO AID SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT IN DNA CRIME ANALYSIS
September 12, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A new, $379,379 federal grant will help the County Sheriff’s Department expedite its DNA crime analysis. The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to appropriate the funding, which comes from the Department of Justice’s 2013 DNA Backlog Reduction Program. The money is aimed at cutting into the number of pending DNA cases being processed by the Sheriff’s Regional Crime Laboratory. Currently, there are between 150 and 200 cases to be processed, said Steve Guroff, a Sheriff’s supervising criminalist. That number represents a decline compared to recent years. The new funding will help the lab further decrease its backlog, Guroff said, despite increasing demands for its services. In 2004, the lab received about 800 requests for forensic biology analysis. This year, Guroff said he expects the same number to reach about 2,900. A specific area the lab has reduced its backlog is in cold homicide cases, he said. “Without this source of revenue, we would not have the analysis program without major sacrifices by the County,” Guroff said. “We would have a DNA analysis program, but we wouldn’t have one that is as up-to-date or responsive to the needs of customers.” The funding will cover overtime for the crime’s analysts, as well as some new, up-to-date equipment for processing DNA samples. It will also pay for continuing education for analysts and service contracts for equipment the lab already owns. The lab has received a total of about $2 million in grants through this program since 2004, Guroff said.
PROTECT, PREVENT, REPORT: DEAD CROW PROMPTS WEST NILE VIRUS REMINDER
September 12, 2013 (Lakeside) – A dead crow found in Lakeside has tested positive for West Nile virus and San Diego County officials are reminding people to protect themselves from mosquitoes that can transmit the disease. The dead American crow was the sixth bird that has tested positive this year for the disease, which can kill people in rare cases. While no one in San Diego County has been diagnosed with West Nile virus this year, 117 people across the state have contracted it, and 2012 was one of the worst on record across the United States with 286 deaths. “The good news is that people can protect themselves by taking some simple steps,” said Jack Miller, director of the County Department of Environmental Health. “Use insect repellent to keep mosquitoes away; wear long-sleeve shirts and pants if you’re out at dusk when mosquitoes like to feed; and clear your yard or home of potential mosquito breeding areas.” County officials said the public should remember the phrase, “Protect, Prevent, Report.” Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites by staying inside when mosquitoes are most active and by wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors, especially at dawn or dusk. Use insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or IR 3535 when you are outdoors. Keep screens on doors and windows and make sure the screens are in good condition. Prevent Mosquito Breeding by dumping out or removing backyard water sources that can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, such as: plant saucers, rain gutters, buckets, trash cans, children’s toys, old spare tires and wheelbarrows. Mosquito fish may be used to control mosquito breeding in backyard water sources such as unused swimming pools, ponds, fountains and horse troughs. Report Dead Birds and Green, Neglected Swimming Pools by calling County Vector Control at 858-694-2888 to report green swimming pools, dead crows, jays, ravens and birds of prey. Miller said the County’s new free West Nile virus smartphone app makes it easier than ever before for people to report neglected pools, mosquito breeding grounds or dead birds — and to get important updates about the disease. Anyone with an iPhone, Android or Blackberry smartphone can submit anonymous reports to County Vector Control by using the app to snap a photo, type in the address and send it in. The app is available on the County App Center, at http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/appcenter/. Just look for the “Fight the Bite” logo. West Nile virus is mainly a bird disease that can be spread to people when mosquitoes feed on the blood of an infected animal and then a person. Eight out 10 people who become infected with West Nile virus won’t suffer any symptoms at all. Most people who do get sick will suffer mild symptoms: headache, fever, nausea, fatigue, skin rash or swollen glands. However, in rare cases, people can suffer serious neurologic complications that can be life threatening. The risk of complications increases for those over age 50, and for people with weakened immune systems.
ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS
September 12, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) –ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. Millions of workers might dump employer plans under Obamacare: study (Reuters) The shocking videos lawmakers saw (CNN) ‘Baby Veronica’ birth father freed after surrendering (Reuters) The Unemployment Rate Went Down This Month Because Hundreds of Thousands of People Quit Looking for Work (Reason) US teen births fall to historic low: what has been helping(CS Monitor) America Violates, Exempts Self From ‘International Norms’ it Aims to Unilaterally Enforce (Reason) NSA Has Keys To Most Internet Encryption (NPR) New details in how the feds take laptops at border (AP) U.S. court takes on Internet traffic fight (Reuters) WORLD CIA begins delivering arms to Syrian rebels (Washington Post) Syria crisis: Russia ‘hands Syria chemical arms plan to U.S.’ (BBC) ‘US intercepts Iranian order to attack American interests in response to Syria strike’ Military Leaders Skeptical, “Embarassed” By Administration’s Push for Strikes Against Syria, Says Former Army Major General (Reason) Egypt minister warns of terrorism wave after assassination attempt Nuremberg Prosecutor Makes The Case For Trying Assad (NPR) Former U.S. Ambassador Cautions Against Attack on Syria Israeli organization delivers hundreds of tons of food, medicine to Syrian refugees (JPost) Australia’s new gov’t vows to limit foreign aid (U-T San Diego) Taliban hit Afghan intelligence HQ To view excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more’ and scroll down. U.S. Millions of workers might dump employer plans under Obamacare: study (Reuters) As many as 37 million Americans who receive health coverage through employers may be better off with the government-subsidized insurance plans that will be offered under President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform law for next year, according to a study released on Monday. The shocking videos lawmakers saw (CNN) Men sprawled on a tile floor, shirtless and convulsing. Children, too, seemingly unable to control their shaking and flailing. Panic and screams in the background. These are some of the hard-to-stomach images that the Obama administration has shown a select group of senators in closed-door briefings to make the case that a limited military attack on Syria is justified. ‘Baby Veronica’ birth father freed after surrendering (Reuters) The biological father of “Baby Veronica,” a Native American girl at the heart of a protracted custody battle, surrendered to Oklahoma police on Thursday to be extradited to South Carolina where he faces felony charges for interfering with her adoption. The Unemployment Rate Went Down This Month Because Hundreds of Thousands of People Quit Looking for Work (Reason) The unemployment dropped a decimal point in today’s jobs report, from 7.4 percent last month to 7.3 percent. Good news, right? Well, not so much. The reason the unemployment rate went down was not because people found jobs. It was because they stopped looking for them. In the last month alone, 312,000 people dropped out of the labor force, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics US teen births fall to historic low: what has been helping(CS Monitor) The US teen birth rate is down in all 50 states, and among all racial and ethnic groups, according to data released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. America Violates, Exempts Self From ‘International Norms’ it Aims to Unilaterally Enforce (Reason) When President Barack Obama claims, as he did at the G20 summit in St. Petersburg Friday, that the absence of a United States bombing attack against Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad “threatens to unravel the international norm against chemical weapons embraced by 189 nations, and those nations represent 98 percent of the world’s people,” he is deliberately blurring the lines between three international treaties to make it look like they require U.S. enforcement. NSA Has Keys To Most Internet Encryption (NPR) The National Security Agency has the keys to most Internet encryption methods and it has gotten them by using supercomputers to break them and by enlisting the help of private IT companies, The New York Timesand The Guardian are reporting. In plain English, this means that many of the tools — like TLS, used by many banks and email providers — that people worldwide have come to believe protect them from snooping by criminals and governments are essentially worthless when it comes to the NSA… New details in how the feds take laptops at border (AP) The government can target travelers for no reason other than political advocacy if it wants, and obtain electronic documents identifying fellow supporters. U.S. court takes on Internet traffic fight (Reuters) A potential landmark case for U.S. regulation of Internet traffic goes before a panel of federal judges on Monday, testing whether the Federal Telecommunications Commission has authority to enforce so-called net neutrality rules. Net neutrality is the principle that Internet users should be able to access any Web content and use any applications they choose, without restrictions or varying charges imposed by the Internet service provider or the government. Oral arguments in the case pit Verizon Communications Inc against the FCC. WORLD CIA begins delivering arms to Syrian rebels (Washington Post) The CIA has begun delivering weapons to rebels in Syria, ending months of delay in lethal aid that had been promised by the Obama administration, according to U.S. officials and Syrian figures. The shipments began streaming into the country over the past two weeks, along with separate deliveries by the State Department of vehicles and other gear — a flow of material that marks a major escalation of the U.S. role in Syria’s civil war. Syria crisis: Russia ‘hands Syria chemical arms plan to U.S.’ (BBC) Russia announced its plans for placing Syria’s stockpile under international control on Monday and Syria said it welcomed the initiative. The proposal led US President Barack Obama to put military action against Syria on hold in favour of diplomacy. ‘US intercepts Iranian order to attack American interests
EARTHTALK®: GREEN HOME RENOVATION
September 12, 2013 (San Diego) – Dear EarthTalk: I’m planning a major home renovation and want to include as many green-friendly features as possible. Where do I begin to look? — Matthew Glaser, Queens, NY There has never been a better time to renovate green, given the abundance of Earth-friendly building material choices as well as contractors well-versed in energy- and resource-efficiency. Many homeowners don’t realize that they can save money in the long run, despite the up front costs, by choosing materials and strategies that will lower utility bills and reduce maintenance and replacement costs moving forward. For starters, look for building materials that contain post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content that can be easily recycled later. Also, make sure the materials are sustainably sourced—such as wood certified as sustainably harvested by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). And try to minimize the distance any building materials need to travel to help reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. In areas of the renovation that are not a complete tear-down and re-build, tighten things up by plugging holes, patching or replacing roofing or siding as needed and adding weather-stripping around doors and windows. Also, switch out older single-pane windows with more efficient modern double or triple pane styles. This can pay for itself in energy savings within just a few years while improving comfort. Also replace or add insulation to walls, attics and other spaces to keep heat inside and cold out (and vice-versa). And you can save lots of energy by swapping out old appliances with newer models that qualify for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s EnergyStar label. Such appliances must be 20-30 percent more energy efficient than standard models, and will reduce not only your carbon footprint but also utility bills. For guidance on how to renovate as sustainably as possible, check out the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) Green Home Guide, a free online resource which bases its recommendations on its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines for certifying “green” buildings. This site allows users to ask an experienced contractor questions on sustainable materials and techniques or find green home professionals nearby qualified for larger green renovation jobs. Another valuable resource is the REGREEN website, a joint project of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the USGBC, which offers case studies for green remodeling projects, interactive tools and basic guidelines written so even do-it-yourselfer can understand. A REGREEN Strategy Generator widget can provide tailored tactics for specific green remodeling projects. “For example, if you enter the parameters ‘bathroom’ and ‘water efficiency’, the widget might suggest the installation of faucet aerators and low-water-use showerheads,” reports USGBC. Talking over projects and options with a design professional at a retail green building supply store like Green Depot, with locations in 10 states, can also help homeowners source cutting edge materials that will save energy and money in the long run. Green Building Supply, which offers an extensive free “online learning center,” will ship a wide range of green building materials anywhere in the U.S. CONTACTS: FSC, www.fsc.org; EnergyStar, www.energystar.gov; LEED Green Home Guide, greenhomeguide.com/program/leed-for-homes; REGREEN, Green Depot, www.greendepot.com; Green Building Supply, www.greenbuildingsupply.com. EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.
HEARTLAND SWIM ANNOUNCES FALL SPECIAL PROGRAM
Introductory club training for swimmers ages 6 to 18 September 12, 2013 (El Cajon) – East County parents who have been looking for an inexpensive and fun way to involve their children in year-round club swimming now have that opportunity. Heartland Swim Association, East County’s premier swim club, is offering a Fall Special Program at special introductory pricing. Registration is $275 for swimmers between the ages of 6 to 18 and covers practices four to five days a week through December 15. There is also a $60 fee for membership in USA Swimming. “Our Fall Special Program is designed to introduce East County families to club swimming. In addition to practices, our swimmers have the opportunity to compete in several USA Swimming sanctioned meets against athletes of similar ability,” said Pat Tope, President of Heartland Swim Association. He added, “One of the highlights of the Fall Special Program is the annual travel meet to Palm Springs the weekend before Thanksgiving. It attracts hundreds of club swimmers from around Southern California and Arizona and is a great introduction to big-time swim meets.” Fall Special registrants are assigned to one of two age group teams. The Junior Gold team is for swimmers 12 and under and practices four afternoons a week at El Cajon Valley High. The Senior Development team is for swimmers 13 and over and practices five afternoons a week at Grossmont High School. Both groups focus on technique, stroke development and conditioning. Information about the 2013 Heartland Fall Special Program and registration forms can be found on the Heartland Swim Association website at HeartlandSwim.org.