He is not the first to paint this picture of the underlying causes which brought America and its allies to war in Iraq, but in an election year Simon Jenkins' articulate criticisms merit the revival and reinvigoration.
Most importantly we must remember that it is millions of Iraqis who continue to pay the price.
Friday, March 14, 2008
The Power to Feed the World? A Tale of Sustainable Development, BioEngineering, and Citizen Activism
Even set against the standards established by today’s behemoths of international trade and commerce, The Monsanto Company is a veritable giant. Since its founding in 1901, Monsanto has advanced through various embodiments, most often as a producer and purveyor of chemicals. Its many mergers and acquisitions have often dramatically altered the scope of its operations, and as the twentieth century came to a close Monsanto began a transition from a chemicals company to a formidable biotechnologies operation. Following this transformation Monsanto has sought to portray itself as a soldier of the sustainability cause; on its homepage a brief description asserts that “We apply innovation… while also reducing agriculture’s impact on our environment.” Monsanto maintains 17,500 employees around the globe, and recorded revenues of US$7.344 billion in 2006. And yet all is not well in the corridors at Monsanto headquarters in Saint Louis.
In a world in which we so willingly fail to address even direct and brutal violence perpetrated against the world's powerless, we must maintain a constant and scathing vigilance if we are to conquer another silent and more insidious form of violence.
In the course of reading history our consciousness is generally pierced with an awareness of indignities committed by Japanese occupational forces during the Second World War. But as with most historical episodes vast segments remain untold, unknown. Gain a glimpse into one of these untold stories.
Ceux qui ne se souviennent pas du passé, sont condamnés à le revivre.
We so easily forget. But every day in our world there are countless many who suffer the most despicable affronts to the value of human life.
Organizations like Amnesty International and others inspire. Through their well-intentioned efforts we can change the lives of others, and in so doing, enrich and embetter our own. It can all start with a signature. Where it goes from there... well, that is up to you. See how it begins in this short animated film and multiple award-winner.
Recently I spoke with a young man who is employed in sustainable operations at a ski resort in my home US state of Montana. After he described the various practices by which they seek to minimize the environmental impact of the resort’s operation, I asked if he might like to share some of his successes in this very space. His answer was polite but firm; he preferred discretion. “And,” he added, “I hate the word green.” Surprised, I asked for a qualification of his statement. When words failed him, I offered a little help: “Because the term has become ‘yuppie-fied’?” He was emphatic. “Exactly.”
Evidently he's an Alternative Channel enthusiast! A few weeks ago I investigated the environmental proposals of the top US presidential candidates. Pressure is mounting on Hillary to gracefully exit the stage in the wake of a poor showing in key states tomorrow but Hill says no way. So it remains a three-horse race. Brendan Koerner of Slate has weighed in with his own take on the field. Have a look.
The debate over the future of America’s energy policy is heating up, and it is liable to reach temperatures of near-combustion amidst the politics of this explosive election season. One industry that has long been a pillar of the American energy establishment is coal, and the case of coal is particularly compelling for two reasons. The first is that massive reserves in western US states such as Montana and Wyoming allow a viable pathway to improved energy independence from unstable and often unsavory oil-producing states. Montana’s reserves alone stand at a staggering 120 billion recoverable tons; at 2006 levels of consumption, this would be enough to meet in totality the coal needs of mighty China for nearly half a century. The negative, of course, is that coal-fired power plants are among the most heinous emitters of greenhouse gases.
The European Parliament last month adopted a resolution urging a number of reforms upon the Egyptian state. Amongst other things, the resolution called for enhancements of democracy and a greater respect for fundamental human rights.
Egypt practices only the most marginal form of democracy, despite much-touted reforms of the electoral process in 2005. President Hosni Mubarak has held the reins of power since the assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981, and appears to be grooming his son Gamal for the nation's top job.
The resolution provoked an angry response from Egypt's government, and elicited mixed responses from its press. Some columnists indignantly evoked emotionally charged episodes of Egypt's past, while others urged a pragmatic approach to the affair.
In the heat of Kenya's political deadlock, other issues facing the nation have receded from the headlines. This footage, acquired by Alternative Channel in the month before the presidential vote that ended in stalemate, returns to the consciousness one particularly grim reality. Recently there have been intensive efforts in African countries to reduce the social stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and thereby to encourage testing. However even where testing and awareness are more socially acceptable, another fear restrains many.
With the knowledge that, if HIV-positive they would be hopelessly unable to afford treatment, many prefer simply not to know.
The release of another update for a device like Apple's iPhone is a cause for alarm if you're struggling to keep your web site compatible with the rapidly changing mobile world.
But no fears this time. Apple's latest iPhone update offers a few welcome features, and only one which really needs your attention:
Webclip icons
iPhone users can now create website bookmarks (called a webclip) on their homepage. It's really easy:
How to create a webclip:
Just click the + button, type in the URL of the site you want to bookmark, and a brand new icon appears on your homepage linking you quickly to your favourite site.
The new icon is a screenshot of the page: while cool, it's not much of an icon. It'd be better if you, as the web designer, could create a custom icon your user would see when they create a webclip from your site.
1. Create an icon of 150 x 150 pixels in PNG format. Some tutorials recommend 57x57 pixels, but we feel 150px is better suited to the high-res iPhone display.
2. Add this to your page header.
That's it! Your website is now iPhone is 1.1.3 compatible.
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