State of the Union: Advanced Energy Initiative

President Bush's State Of The Union outlined The Advanced Energy Initiative to help break America's dependence on foreign sources of energy by setting a national goal of replacing more than 75% of our oil imports from the Middle East by 2025. The Initiative will accelerate our breakthroughs in two vital areas: 1) how we power our homes and businesses; and 2) how we power our automobiles.

1) Powering our homes and businesses:

Ø The President's Coal Research Initiative.
Ø The President's Solar America Initiative.
Ø Expanding Clean Energy from Wind & Nuclear.

2) Powering our automobiles:

Ø The Biorefinery Initiative.
Ø Developing More Efficient Vehicles.
Ø The Hydrogen Fuel Initiative.

There are an estimated 250 million vehicles on America's highways, and Americans will purchase more than 17 million vehicles this year. It will take approximately 15 years to switch America's automobiles over to more fuel efficient technologies.

Take Your Toolbar to Work

We want to take a moment to recognize the tireless efforts of corporate IT teams everywhere. These dedicated individuals work day and night to keep employees' computers running safe and secure. However, the very users they serve are constantly asking them for more: "Can you install Google Earth for me?" "Why don't we use Google Desktop for Enterprise here at work?" "Can we use Google Talk on our internal network?"

In an effort to lend a hand, we're making Google Toolbar beta for Enterprise available today. This free application lets your IT team provide the Google Toolbar across the company with all settings configurable at the admin level to meet corporate standards. Users gain access to all the Toolbar features including the new custom buttons which make it easy to create buttons to search frequently visited sites -- anything from the employee directory to research sites.

Will having the Google Toolbar beta for Enterprise lead to users' more active gratitude towards their hardworking IT team? We sure hope so, but in any case, we're willing to bet people will appreciate it more than they do the next ERP system upgrade!

George Grey: Revolutionary or Policy Wonk?

I have met with Dr. George M. Grey and I attended his swearing in ceremony as the new EPA Assistant Secretary for Research & Development. He has a perfect family with a beautiful wife and wonderful 10-year old son and 8-year old daughter. And on top of all of that he appears to be a very nice guy. I like George Grey. But the important question is: Will he do anything revolutionary during his tenure in the nation's capital, or will he just blend into the scenery at EPA?

Dr. Grey, we again respectfully request that you sponsor a meeting among your department, the EPA International Activities Office and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to discuss the feasibility of using DDT to end malaria in African countries. As you are aware, malaria kills an estimated 1.2 million people a year worldwide and 2,000 African children every day. Although the Gates Foundation wants to 'study' new approaches, there is a cost-effective and mostly environmentally benign solution available right now: DDT. We should be using it today. And just as we did in America, end its use tomorrow after malaria has been eliminated. Posted by Norris McDonald

Inside Google Enterprise

"Google Enterprise." Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it? Well, for a few years now, we've been building products for businesses large and small based on Google technology. We're pleased to announce the launch of this, the Google Enterprise Blog - the official blog for our enterprise business. We'll share our thoughts and ideas about enterprise technology, present best practices and tips for developers, and perhaps announce something new now and again.

The Google Enterprise team has a growing list of products that you'll be able to learn more about right here. Most of our team is focused on -- can you guess? -- enterprise search. We have a fundamental belief that it ought to be simple and easy -- just like Google.com. People are people - they don't turn into information scientists when they arrive at work in the morning. Providing simple, fast, and accurate search across all the information in your company can have a profound effect on your business.

But the technology that powers search inside a company is very different. That's why our growing team of search engineers is entirely focused on delivering a quality search experience to business users around the world. Of course, we're never done -- there are always ways to make the search experience more efficient, more comprehensive, or just more fun.

If you have any comments or suggestions about how we can make our enterprise products better, please contact us here.

Nuclear Spent Fuel Reprocessing: Yes

We support the Bush administration’s Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) plan to expand civilian nuclear energy in the U.S. and abroad while taking spent fuel from foreign countries and reprocessing it. Recycling spent fuel reprocesses the uranium and also separates plutonium that can be used in bombs to produce a mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel that can be used in commercial nuclear reactors to produce electricity. Such fuel is being used at a nuclear plant in North Carolina.

Nuclear power is a technology that does not increase global warming. We also believe that nuclear waste should be handled by a separate agency (U.S. Nuclear Waste Management Agency) from the Department of Energy. The Bush plan will include $250 million in the fiscal 2007 budget for the program.

Instead of just providing nuclear fuel to reactors in other countries, the U.S. would also take back the fuel for reprocessing once it has been spent. Russia is proposing a similar plan for the Iranian nuclear program. The U.S. has opposed reprocessing spent fuel because it produces material that could be used in nuclear weapons. We believe spent fuel can be properly handled and the GNEP will not increase the danger of proliferation.

Norris McDonald is Cochairman of the Nuclear Fuels Reprocessing Coalition

Hiring Blacks: Bush vs Environmental Movement

If you want to work on energy and environmental issues would you submit your application to the Bush administration or to an environmental group? We would say your chances are probably equal between President Bush and the following environmental groups: Environmental Defense, Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Law Institute, and World Resources Institute. Using a twist on the Kanye West quote: "The other environmental groups don't care about black people." Honorable mention to The Nature Conservancy for completing our Diversity Survey.

The Green Group Diversity Survey is available on our website and we constantly send it to them, but most adamantly refuse to answer it. Why do you think they refuse to hire black people or answer our survey?

Ford Follows GM With Cuts

Ford Motor Company announced it plans to cut 30,000 jobs and shut down 14 factories in its North American division. Salary-related costs are being cut 10 percent and the company's officer ranks will be reduced 12 percent. Ford's restructuring announcement follows plans detailed by General Motors Corp last year to close 12 plants and cut 30,000 jobs by 2008. Both Ford and GM suffered from a slide in sales of sport-utility vehicles as gas prices rose and intensifying competition from global rivals. It is amazing that these companies can lose billions of dollars and remain in business. Will Japan be running the Detroit auto business soon?

Environmental Justice In London

Environmental Justice in London: Linking the Equalities and Environmental Policy Agendas, is a report about the relationship of environmental issues to social and economic exclusion. It highlights both evidence of environmental inequalities and leadership on environmental equalities within London. A number of key measures are suggested to drive development of integrated policies addressing environmental justice in London. Pollution and race issues must be too complex for humans to solve everywhere. What do you think?

Capacity Global: Newsletter---------------Latest Report

Writer Says Ex-Chief of HealthSouth Paid for Positive Coverage

Here's a fascinating glimpse into the underside of using communications during litigation. This appears to me to be the equiavalent of "walking around money" during a political campaign.

Can it be long before this sort of technique catches on -- manufacturing "grassroots" interest in a litigant the same way you would a political candidate or issue?
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- Throughout the six-month trial that led to Richard Scrushy's acquittal in the $2.7 billion fraud at HealthSouth Corp., a small, influential newspaper consistently printed articles sympathetic to the defense of the fired CEO.

Audry Lewis, the author of those stories in The Birmingham Times, the city's oldest black-owned paper, now says she was secretly working on behalf of Scrushy, who she says paid her $11,000 through a public relations firm and typically read her articles before publication.

(Click the headline above for the complete article)

Will Lobbying Curbs Hurt the CBC?

The curbs on lobbying being proposed by Congress could prohibit ANY gifts from lobbyists. This might be okay for the rich members, but for members of more modest means, this will inhibit their ability to compete. We believe that money is a form of speech and, for the most part, should not be limited, just disclosed. If you look at financial disclosure reports, you will see that they are pretty thin for members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Some CBC members, like many other members of Congress, accepted contributions from Jack Abramoff.

CBC members are not rich. Although Senator Barack Obama amassed $15 million for his senate victory and Congressman Charles Rangel raises the most in the House CBC with about $2 million for his campaigns, most members are not wealthy. That $165,000 annual salary doesn't go very far when you have to support two homes. Put a kid or two in college and they have to budget.

When I organized the first Energy Braintrust for Congressman Mickey Leland in 1982, I shared with him that it was interesting to me that although the CBC is feted by the energy industry, they consistently scored as the highest voting caucus on environmental issues. And I don't think the CBC gets enough contributions from the energy sector or the environmental movement. Posted by Norris McDonald

CBC Oil & Gas Contributions

Environmental Justice & Nuclear Power

AAEA President Norris McDonald at the North Anna nuclear power plant 90 miles south of Washington, DC

Environmental justice is the equal treatment of all people with respect to environmental issues. Approximately 150 million people in the U.S. breathe polluted air during smog season. Global warming is altering our climate and brewing a more toxic smog. Minority communities, in addition to being exposed to dirty air, are also burdened with a disproportionately large number of pollution facilites. Fortunately, nuclear power plants do not emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. These plants also do not emit smog forming gases. A strong argument could be made that, from an air pollution and global warming perspective, nuclear power plants provide technological environmental justice.

Click Here To Run A Nuclear Power Plant

Nagin & Clinton Climate Change MLK Holiday

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said God has cursed the Gulf Coast with hurricanes because of the American war against Iraq and he wants the Big Easy to be 'Chocolate City' again. This characterization is not exactly being embraced by whites. Nagin complained a few months ago about the prospect of New Orleans becoming a majority illegal alien Mexican city.

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) called the U.S. House of Representatives a 'plantation' at Alfred Charles Sharpton's MLK event in Harlem. Is the climate changing in the observance of the MLK holiday? Would Rev Dr Martin Luther King support such statements about Chocolate City and plantations?

Liberia's New Lady President

Newly elected Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was sworn in today and the ceremony was attended by First Lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. Liberia is Africa's oldest republic and was established in 1847 by freed American slaves. Hopefully President Sirleaf will work out better than Charles Taylor, who was a complete disappointment.

Inaugural Address (Blackelectorate.com)

CIA Factbook

Israel Environment Must Be Protected

In addition to clean air, water and land, Israel's existence must be protected at all costs. Although Islam is a legitimate religion, Judeo-Christianity is even more legitimate. Of course, it might be beyond human capabilities to peacefully coexist in such a hierarchy. Regardless, the largest environmental threats to Israel right now are plans by Iran to build nuclear bombs and Hamas' dedication to the eradication of the Israeli state. Hamas, as a newer, more destructive version of the Palestine Liberation Organization, poses a daily suicide bombing threat to Israeli citizens. And any Islamic plan to build nuclear weapons to eradicate Israel is a proposal for enviromental suicide. Israel is not trying to eliminate Islamic states, although it has the capability to do so.

Israel Ministry of the Environment

Israel Union For Environmental Defense

CIA-The World Factbook

Israel Environment News

Winter Organic Weeding Report

Weeds do not stop growing in winter. In fact, although slowed by the cold, they can grow profusely. Maybe this global warming winter also provides an ideal environment for taproots. As you know, I like to get out there and pull weeds and weed roots by hand (without a glove). I established a nice lime base with applications in the front, back and side yards in October. Summer Foxtail is allowed because it makes a nice buffer at the fence line and is at the bottom of an inclined yard.

Clover was taking over the backyard this summer. It grew almost as fast as I could pull it. I believe clover is a nitrogen fixer, but it also takes over the yard. I try to limit fertilizer applications (I am not a purist) as much as possible while still producing a seamless grassy yard. Right now the Common Mallow is the culprit. Clover roots are also spreading and sprouting little leaves. They are easily found and destroyed. Pulling the root during winter is crucial to spring and summer control. I wondered why I had to fight so hard last summer. If weeds are being hand controlled, one must allow for two or three seasons for best results. But you must still be vigilant. Weeds and their pesky root networks never sleep. (Posted by Norris McDonald)

Martin Luther King, Jr: Environmentalist

Martin Luther King, Jr. significantly improved the environment of black and white Americans. He gave his life working for equality and challenged America to judge its citizens based on the content of character rather than color of skin. We have come far but considerable environmental reclamation is still needed. We sure could use his help right now with the black-on-black murder culture. Dr. King would have never anticipated this nightmare.

Teddy Roosevelt Was Green & Very Racist

President Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt would reject the philosophy of environmental justice because he was a racist. Although he is considered to be the first environmentalist because he issued executive orders setting aside hundreds of millions of acres of national forests, water reserves and wildlife refuges, he also refused to acknowledge the important and courageous role played by black troops at the Battle of San Juan Hill because of his racist beliefs about blacks.

Modern environmentalists revere Teddy Roosevelt as a great hero. Although we acknowledge Roosevelt's contributions to conservation, we reject him as any kind of hero because of his racism. Many environmental groups today provide a valuable service by working to protect the environment, but also reflect the same racism exhibited by Teddy Roosevelt. Most of these groups do not hire blacks in professional positions and often promote policies that are detrimental to black communities (See AAEA Diversity Survey).

According to AmericanPresident.org,

He did not truly believe that blacks were the equals of whites, or that they could be integrated into the American social fabric. He generally accepted the prevailing idea that all nonwhites were less capable of self-rule and significant advancement in culture and science in comparison to whites. He agreed with and enthusiastically endorsed the notion that nonwhites entailed little more than a "burden" which the white races of the world must carry as part of their Christian duty. This sense of racial superiority tainted his attitudes toward blacks...

Global Warming, Daffodils, Sandals & Winter

It is almost mid January and I raked leaves in my sandals today. It was a little spooky when I raked the leaves off of the sites where I planted daffodil bulbs in November and they were sprouting - - just poking their tips out. I was already smiling at my toes not even getting cold. But this will mean super high pollen levels this Spring so my asthmatic lungs are enjoying the pollen-and-smog-free air during this climate changing Winter. Norris McDonald, AAEA President

Did Belafonte's Delegation Talk Oil?

Singer, actor, activist Harry Belafonte recently met with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Although Belafonte called President Bush the greatest tyrant and terrorist in the world, we wonder if he also took any time to discuss oil. Black Americans control virtually none of America's oil imports and own virtually no energy infrastructure ("What A Good Energy Policy Means For Blacks"). Yet Venezuela provides up to 15% of U.S. oil imports and the U.S. purchases up to 60% of Venezuela's oil output. Chavez's socialist revolution is supposed to use this wealth to improve the conditions of the 80% of Venenuelans who live in poverty. Socialism in oil rich countries never seems to lift the poor out of poverty.

Let's hope the rich, famous folks meeting with Chavez discussed some sort of oil business arrangement between Venezuala and black Americans. We are overdue in significantly participating in American energy product and service delivery. Belafonte's delegation included actor Danny Glover and Princeton University scholar Cornel West.

Alito, Environment & Confirmation

The Left Wing of the mainstream environmental movement opposes the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, they are manufacturing his environmental views based on imaginative speculations. These are the same groups that have absolutely refused requests to answer our Diversity Survey. Of course, they would not miss this opportunity to join with other partisan, liberal groups, even as they maintain their abysmal record of failing to employ and retain blacks in professional positions. President Bush runs rings around the Left Wing of the mainstream environmental movement in this area.

Judge Alito has received the highest recommendation from the ABA and we believe presidents should be allowed to choose their nominees, and absent some Earth shattering disqualifier, the Senate should confirm the selection. Of course, if the opposition wants to appoint Supreme Court judges, they should take a page out of former President Bill Clinton's 'How To Be A Republican-Lite And Win The Presidency' playbook, and WIN AN ELECTION.

Jack Abramoff, Indian Tribes & Environmentalism?

Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty in a Miami criminal case acknowledging that he conspired to defraud lenders in the purchase of a fleet of Florida casino boats five years ago. Abramoff has also pleaded guilty before a federal judge in Washington to defrauding Indian tribe clients of millions of dollars, conspiring to bribe members of Congress and evading taxes. He is cooperating with officials and will probably implicate many members of Congress in taking bribes.

Italia Federici is president of the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy (CREA) and she worked very closely with Jack Abromoff. Mr. Abramoff directed hundreds of thousands of dollars (approx $500,000) from indian tribes to CREA allegedly to influence the Department of Interior and Congress. The CREA president is being portrayed as a paid conduit for Abramoff's influence-peddling with the Department of Interior. Ms. Federici says she was just doing environmental work. A Dec. 2, 2002 email from Abramoff to Federici, publicized by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, described how he sought former Deputy Interior Secretary Steven Griles' help in scuttling a casino plan by the Jena Band of Choctaw, a Louisiana tribe seen as competition by his clients.

Federici is a former political aide to Interior Secretary Gale Norton and a confidante of Griles. She presented controversial testimony at a Nov 17, 2005 hearing before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, chaired by John McCain (R-AZ). In the mid-1990s Ms. Federici worked on former Colorado Attorney General Gale Norton's failed bid for the U.S. Senate. Ms. Federici partnered with Ms. Norton to create the Coalition of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy (now called the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy). Sources: Source Watch, Washington Post, The Hill.

Abramoff Tribal Clients

Coushatta (Louisiana)

Choctaw Indians (Missisippi Band)

Saginaw Chippewa (Michigan)

Sandia Pueblo (New Mexico)

Condolences To Families of the Sago Miners

Americans should be aware of the daily work of our miners producing the coal to assure that we have the electricity we need. Twelve men working about two miles underground gave their lives this week in an accident at the International Coal Group (ICG) mine in Sago, West Virginia. ICG purchased the mine in November 2005. The wrenching scenes of distraught families broadcast from Sago Baptist Church have touched citizens nationwide. And we can be thankful that one person made it out alive.

There will be Congressional hearings on the accident. The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training (OMHST) will review the accident and propose regulatory improvements. The reported 208 mine violations will be revisited. We have also heard from mining officials that 2005 was one its safest years ever. However, for the moment, let us honor the brave men who lost their lives this week. Think about them every time you turn on an electrical appliance in your home. Fifty percent of the nation's electricity comes from coal-fired plants.

ICG Statement Regarding Tragedy

President Bush: Modern Teddy Roosevelt?

Although most mainstream green groups with a desk over at the Democratic National Committee will disagree, President Bush could be remembered as one of the top environmental presidents in history. Although he has already passed and implemented numerous innovative environmental policies, we believe his last three years will seal his destiny as a green visionary. Already a rugged, outdoor cowboy, boot wearing, belt-buckle showing, brush clearing pragmatic environmentalist capable of balancing protection of Mother Nature with economic vitality, this Commander-in-Chief will ultimately be considered an icon for global environmental protection.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is already the best Kyoto Protocol in the world. By aggressively promoting the building of new nuclear power plants, it is the most aggressive greenhouse gas reduction program being implement by any nation on Earth. We also hope President Bush will introduce an environmental justice bill that has teeth in his second term. And we do not believe he is finished with energy and air policy proposals. President Teddy Roosevelt created the National Park Service and was the object of the 'Teddy Bear' craze. Whereas Teddy was bad on race issues, President Bush is a virtual revolutionary, with the most powerfully diverse administration in U.S. history. President Bush will ultimately be considered to be 'greener' than President Roosevelt.