Notice 4/30/07: Yes, some major work is going on around the Ecosystem, and the rankings have gone wonky at the moment. Please bear with me, as this is a sign of good things to come --- lots of improvements coming!(Sigh)
The XR-3 Hybrid is a super-fuel-efficient two-passenger plug-in hybrid that achieves 125 mpg on diesel power alone, 225 mpg on combined diesel and electric power, and performance like a conventional automobile. The design of the XR-3 Hybrid focuses on existing technologies and a vehicle “personality” that makes conserving energy a fun driving experience. It showcases the design ideas explored in Robert Q. Riley’s book, Alternative Cars in the 21st Century.
At just 1300 pounds, this high-performance design combines lightening-fast acceleration, a maximum speed of 85 mph, and fuel economy of 125- to over 200-mpg.
Its clam-shell canopy and three-wheel platform boldly differentiates the XR-3 from conventional passenger cars. The vehicle’s hybrid power system, diesel engine, and low curb weight are the main ingredients of its super-high fuel economy and excellent performance. Acceleration equal to that of a conventional car and a maximum speed of 85 mph make the XR-3 Hybrid equally at home on freeways and surface streets.
Plans will be available so readers can build a duplicate of the XR-3 Hybrid prototype, or convert their own car into a significantly more fuel-efficient vehicle. Readers will understand the factors that influence fuel economy, and learn how to make any car achieve greater fuel economy. The XR-3 Hybrid gives enthusiasts and experimenters the opportunity to significantly reduce their transportation expenses and have fun doing it. On a broader level, the vehicle is a highly visible example of the kinds of vehicles that could help reduce personal mobility energy on a global scale.
Courageous. Consistent. Conservative. Former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore has exactly the credentials that most Republicans are looking for in their nominee for President of the United States.Gilmore wants to send MORE troops into Iraq, imposed restrictions on a woman's personal liberty rights as Governor, and promises to fight against civil rights for gay Americans.
* Jim Gilmore served as a U.S. Army counter-intelligence agent in Germany during the Vietnam era.
* Jim Gilmore served as a tough, crime busting local prosecutor in Virginia.
* Jim Gilmore served as a popular, no-nonsense Virginia Attorney General.
* Jim Gilmore served as a Governor who was a champion of the taxpayers.
* Jim Gilmore served as Chairman of the Republican National Committee.
* Jim Gilmore served as Chairman of a national commission on prevention and response to terrorism.
On the issues, Jim Gilmore is a leader Republicans can trust to stand for low taxes, secure borders, support for our troops, protection of our 2nd Amendment rights, the preservation of life and the defense of traditional marriage and family values.
AUTHENTIC will be the word that defines the 2008 presidential cycle. The candidate who is the most real, most authentic AND is the least contrived - will be the one who successfully crosses the finish line.
If Fred Thompson does not enter the race... Mitt Romney will likely be the nominee. (barring a serious mistake) The press, consultants and voters alike don't like baggage. Being a Mormon is a lot more palatable than a third wife, a mistress, an old sick guy, an angry guy with a shady, baggage laden consultant, or a guy who can't be honest about mob ties that a staffer had. If Fred Thompson does not run, it will be about who McCain endorses - because that person will get the McCain finance Committee. And that is McCain's strongest asset.Sincerity is the key . . . once you can fake that the rest is easy . . . . At least, that's the way consultants approach campaigns. M.L. is right to call them out on it and to point out that the electorate will be clamoring for true sincerity -- for authenticity this time around. That's why Hilary is going to have problems and that's why Obama has taken off.
After a modest period of mourning, the wingnutz are aligning their talking points and taking aim at two of their favorite targets.Sec.36.208 Direct threat
(a) This part does not require a public accommodation to permit an individual to participate in or benefit from the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages and accommodations of that public accommodation when that individual poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
(b) Direct threat means a significant risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by a modification of policies, practices, or procedures, or by the provision of auxiliary aids or services.
(c) In determining whether an individual poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, a public accommodation must make an individualized assessment, based on reasonable judgment that relies on current medical knowledge or on the best available objective evidence, to ascertain: the nature, duration, and severity of the risk; the probability that the potential injury will actually occur; and whether reasonable modifications of policies, practices, or procedures will mitigate the risk.Clearly, a university's hands are not tied. Here, as has been reported, VT sent the disturbed student to a doctor, who -- erroneously -- concluded that he wasn't a danger, "only" depressed. That erroneous medical opinion wasn't caused by the ADA; nor was it the fault of privacy legislation. It was a perfunctory, inadequately-based, medical opinion. As much as it was the preemptive failure of that doctor, the tragedy was exacerbated by the carelessness and lack of compassion of the local police and VT itself, as Will Divide explained last week.
"If Mr. McMurphy doesn't want to take his medication orally, I'm sure we can arrange that he can have it some other way. But I don't think that he would like it."
From WebMD:
April 17, 2007 (Los Angeles) -- Cannabis may be bad for the lungs, but the active ingredient in marijuana may help combat lung cancer, new research suggests.More good news here.
In lab and mouse studies, the compound, known as THC, cut lung tumor growth in half and helped prevent the cancer from spreading, says Anju Preet, PhD, a Harvard University researcher in Boston who tested the chemical.
While a lot more work needs to be done, “the results suggest THC has therapeutic potential,” she tells WebMD.
Today’s decision is alarming. It refuses to take Casey and Stenberg seriously. It tolerates, indeed applauds, federal intervention to ban nationwide a procedure found necessary and proper in certain cases by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
It blurs the line, firmly drawn in Casey, between previability and postviability abortions. And, for the first time since Roe, the Court blesses a prohibition with no exception safeguarding a woman’s health.
I dissent from the Court’s disposition.
Retreating from prior rulings that abortion restrictions cannot be imposed absent an exception safeguarding a woman’s health, the Court upholds an Act that surely would not survive under the close scrutiny that previously attended state-decreed limitations on a woman’s reproductive choices.
"Jiggs", better known to my fellow olden farts as "Cheeta", celebrated his 75th birthday last week at his retirement home in Palm Springs (California). Born April 9, 1932, Cheeta first appeared in a 1954 Tarzan film as a young pup, er, chimp, in an uncredited cameo. He later took over the role of "Cheeta", a role which he held throughout the remainder of the Weissmuller Tarzan career. His last role was in 1967's Doctor Doolittle.
"I'm in the private sector and for the first time in my life I'm earning money. You know that's sort of part of the Jewish tradition and I do not find anything wrong with that."But, ma, it's okay because he immediately realized how that sounded and fixed it all up by telling the audience:
"I just want to clarify something because I didn't [by] any means want to infer or imply anything about Jews and finances and things," he said. "What I was referring to, ladies and gentlemen, is the accomplishments of the Jewish religion. You've been outstanding business people and I compliment you for that."Yeah, that's better.
Dear Friends,You get the idea. It ends with a request for money.
The 2006 election has long been over, and these last few months since departing the Senate have been a great adventure for me. I've discovered a new and exciting path filled with opportunities to discuss the issues that I have long believed are critical to our nation's future.
As you may recall, during my Senate campaign, I spoke at great length about the Gathering Storm of the 21st Century -- the challenges that I and many others believe are posed by radical Islamic fascism and its growing alliances around the world. I gave numerous speeches about the threats our enemies pose, and I didn't shy away from this topic despite the overwhelming political wisdom telling me to change course. And looking back, despite the outcome of my Senate race, I am more convinced than ever that educating the American public about our enemies and raising awareness about the threats our country faces isn't just right, it's an obligation.
We cannot underestimate the threats we face from those who wish to do us harm. Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Iran, and North Korea's Kim Jong-il are committed to destroying the West and th. . . .
(1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment;Did you get that? Under this bill, the only additional sources of stem cells from research would come from blastocysts recovered from the trash bin. These stem cells will "die" regardless if this bill is enacted.
(2) the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and
(3) such individuals donate the embryos with written informed consent and receive no financial or other inducements.
{UPDATE: This post mysteriously awarded 2nd Place in the Weekly PGN Tuesday's Top Picks}
Richardson's office quoted the governor as saying that he hopes the trip "will advance the progress made by the Bush administration during the six-party talks to dismantle nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula."One would hope.
"Talk about retreating to a Clinton policy," said Republican political consultant Ed Rogers. "Next they will want Hillary to sponsor heath-care legislation," he said . . . .Nice, Ed. Bush can create tons of dead American bodies in Iraq and you applaud him, but his incompetent diplomacy is unable to bring back 50-year old remains from a country willing to give them up, and you want to make a political attack out of it.
