Greg Brown's Weekend Reading and Other Things.. 1/24/2016
DEAR FRIEND.....
Is Contaminated Drinking Water The New Norm?
[flintwater.jpg]
As Steven Cohen recently wrote in the Huffington Post — Whenever I hear that environmental protection is a partisan issue, I'm reminded of New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia's famous statement that there is no Democratic or Republican way to pick up the garbage. The provision of clean air, safe drinking water, solid waste management and flood control are all basic public services that people who pay taxes expect to receive. Too bad the folks running Flint, Michigan, and the state of Michigan didn't get that memo. It's also too bad that the federal Environmental Protection Agency sat on the sidelines and allowed Michigan to damage Flint's water supply.
[...]
On January 5, 2016 Michigan's Governor Rick Snyder declared a state of emergency regarding the water crisis in Flint, Michigan where, due to deliberately careless resource management, the number of kids with dangerous levels of lead in their blood doubled in 2015. Sender's announcement follows Flint Mayor Karen Weaver's state of emergency declaration: she called the lead poisoning crisis a "manmade disaster" in December. Last week, President Obama signed a declaration stating that Flint is under a state of emergency and requiring the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide funds for filters and other remedial actions. Unfortunately, since this is a human-made disaster rather than a natural one, the funding available is capped at $5 million-although the cap could be raised by a specific though unlikely act by our dysfunctional Congress.
[...]
Republicans, in general, have been nearly silent on the tragedy unfolding in Flint — with the exception of ghoulish opportunist and religious extremist Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who decided that showing a cursory concern for the victims of one of the largest mass poisonings in history might re-establish a shred of his "Christian values" credibility, which he has dragged through the mud with the undeniable truth that his most consistent political platform has been his own near-constant hypocrisy. Unsurprisingly, he turned the opportunity to really show some of the compassion and charitable spirit he claims to possess into a soapbox moment to rail against the failures of big government and implicitly blaming the President.
We must grudgingly give him credit for having the decency to at least acknowledge the fact that there is a public health disaster unfolding in Flint. Perpetual truant Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) opted to punt as his response, saying that he didn't know enough about it to comment. Republican front-runner Donald Trump also declined to comment on it, brushing it off as a "shame" but that he "shouldn't be commenting on Flint." These cowards are working to be the next President of the United States — but refuse to acknowledge one of the biggest public health disasters in recent memory? It just goes to show how little the GOP cares for the average American or the health of our environment — all
[...]
NOAA Says 2015 Was Second Hottest Year On Record In U.S.
But it was The Hottest Year for the Planet
[thermometer image]
Last year was the second hottest on record in the contiguous United States, and included to major weather and climate events, such as droughts and storms, that each led to over $1 billion in damages, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said on Thursday. The average temperature in 2015 was 54.4 degrees Fahrenheit (12.4 degrees Celsius), compared with 55.3 F (12.9 C) in 2012, the warmest year recorded since the government started keeping records in 1895, NOAA said.
[...]
Being Less Crazy Than Donald Trump Does Not Make Marco Rubio `Moderate'
[photo of Marco Rubio]
He won his first race for political office at age 26 by beating an incumbent county commissioner. A year later he won a seat in Florida's state house by upsetting a local media celebrity. And in 2010 he won his Senate seat by beating a popular governor who was expected to coast to victory. So it's no surprise that on Monday April 13 Rubio declared his presidential candidacy, even though he trails badly in the early polls. If he wins the presidency, he would be the third youngest person ever elected president after Teddy Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy. And if he loses, he will likely forfeit his Senate seat.
[...]
For All of You Who Believe The Myth That Reagan Was Tougher on Iran Than Obama
WRONG... WRONG... Wrong...
[split photograph: Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama]
At this point, it should be taken for granted that anything President Obama does or doesn't do will be met with hysterical outrage and scorn from Republicans and conservative media. Their most recent tantrum is over the handling of the two Navy patrol boats that drifted into Iranian waters, were captured, and promptly released the next day.
[...]
WEEK'S READINGS
Gun Deaths Are Now Outpacing Traffic Deaths In 21 States, And Counting
Some studies say it's only a matter of time before this trend extends nationally.
[image: two hands holding handguns]
More people died from guns than from motor vehicle accidents in 21 states in 2014, according to a report released this week. The Violence Policy Center, a research group that advocates for gun safety legislation, has found in past reports that traffic fatalities have been declining due to what the organization calls "effective regulation," such as safety prevention initiatives, improved vehicle and highway design, and efforts from the government and advocacy groups. Firearm-related deaths, meanwhile, have only climbed.
[...]
The Map That Will Change How You See The World
[world population cartogram image]
This image is a world population cartogram for 2015, where the size of each country is scaled according to its population. Each square on the map represents 500,000 people.
[...]
| Country | Fossil Fuel Production Subsidies ($M) | Green Climate Fund Pledge ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| France | 1,507 | 259 |
| Italy | 3,472 | 84 |
| Germany | 5,386 | 251 |
| Australia | 5,294 | 47 |
| Canada | 5,449 | 69 |
| United Kingdom | 14,562 | 303 |
| Japan | 19,765 | 375 |
| United States | 24,226 | 750 |
[...]
As If Slavery Weren't Enough, 6 Other Reasons to Avoid Shrimp
- Key Information: The image shows shrimp skewers being grilled over an open flame.
- Key Entities: Shrimp, grill, flames.
Delicious treat, or the devil's crustacean?
Ah, shrimp. Americans can't get enough of it: Per capita consumption has doubled since the early '8os, and we now eat on average about four pounds per year of the briny crustacean. Not even tuna and salmon (about 2.3 pounds each) outshine the shrimp on the US dinner table.
[...]
THIS WEEK's QUOTE
"Never get mad at someone for being who they've always been. Be upset with yourself for not coming to terms with it sooner."
THINK ABOUT THIS
| Individual | Crime | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Billionaire | Raped his own 3-year-old daughter | Probation |
| Homeless Man | Stole $35 rack of ribs | Sentenced to 50 years in prison |
If justice is blind or fair please explain how this happened.
An Explanation about What is Happening
Unsure why oil is in the news? This video from Bloomberg NCWS explains it.
[oil slump line graph image]
BEST VIDEO OF THE WEEK
If Elephants Dream
[elephant photo]
Web Link: https://youtu.be/UeTmE71uEaw
From ArgoFilm's "Wisdom of the Wild" comes the moving story of Daphne Sheldrick and her elephant orphanage. This documentary was produced for PBS' Nature Series.
[...]
THIS WEEK's MUSIC
Rachelle Ferrell
This is a photograph of Rachelle Ferrell. She is a composer, lyricist, arranger, musician, and jazz vocalist. Her career has expanded to include the pop/urban contemporary scene, increasing her audience for jazz recordings.
[...]
Rachelle Ferrell - My Funny Valentine -- https://youtu.be/7M3DDLZHpew
Rachelle Ferrell — I Can Explain -- https://youtu.be/w2uD_MUu55U
Rachelle Ferrell — Welcome To My Love -- https://youtu.be/7fx7zR4-ANU
Rachelle Ferrell — If Only I Knew -- https://youtu.be/RRpWvIKCFO0
Rachelle Ferrell — 'Til You Come Back To Me -- https://youtu.be/h65azRDIg4Q
Rachelle Ferrell — With Open Arms -- https://youtu.be/Zvgl-M-YHSk
Rachelle Ferrell - Song 6 -- https://youtu.be/5BcaSxLgTOo
Rachelle Ferrell - Waiting -- https://youtu.be/vqETCWMPKqw
Rachelle Ferrell Sista https://youtu.be/qdtwon67Uqg
Rachelle Ferrell — Thank You Lord -- https://youtu.be/soXn-ORokdA
Rachelle Ferrell Run To You https://youtu.be/Y1x6xfZ5tCw
Rachelle Ferrell & George Duke - With Every Breath I Take -- https://youtu.be/-TygQkOWLw
Rachelle Ferrell & George Benson — Everything Must Change -- https://youttibe/eKIIYk8tdgE
Rachelle Ferrell & Jennifer Hudson - https://youtu.be/W0z28DVKBDI
Rachelle Ferrell & Will Downing — Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This -- https://youtu.be/pf83djaaTS4
BONUS TRACK
Rachelle Ferrell & Deborah Cox pay tribute to the Legendary Natalie Cole -- https://youttibe/8YiNIBt2SW8
I hope that you enjoyed this week's offerings and wish you and everyone you love a great week....
Sincerely,
Greg Brown
Gregory Brown
Chairman & CEO
GlobalCast Partners, LLC
US: +1-415-994-7851
Tel: +1-800-406-5892
Fax: +1-310-861-0927
Skype: gbrown1970