Bill for Iraq conflict will soon overtake Vietnam
$78bn squeeze on medical care for elderly and poor

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Murdoch was asked if News Corp. had managed to shape the agenda on the war in Iraq. His answer?
“No, I don’t think so. We tried.” Asked by Rose for further comment, he said: “We basically supported the Bush policy in the Middle East…but we have been very critical of his execution.”
Read the original by Mark Howard on NewsCorpse

Some things have to be noted for the historical record. And, yes, my headline is sexist. I would not have commented if the perpetrator had been male. Guys do this stuff all the time. If a male astronaut did it, it would not be amusing. When a female astronaut does it, expect a bit of discussion about PMS and all. Read more »

Gray Cracker Moth, Cancun.
Photograph by Anita Brown

Idaho National Laboratory “Geothermal Energy — Impact of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) on the United States in the 21st Century,” a report prepared by an MIT-led interdisciplinary panel, was released to the public January 22, 2007. The report suggests that 100,000 MWe of electrical generation capacity can be met through EGS within 50 years with a modest investment in R&D. Download the full 400-page report (14.1MB PDF) 

From Rick Moranis, a snapshot of socialites at work to reduce their own carbon footprint…
“Imagine us growing our food in our own waste, powering our elevators with our StairMasters.”
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San Francisco is aiming to become one of the nation’s first large cities to require that new, privately developed buildings meet rigorous standards of environmental friendliness.

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DETROIT – The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s decision that Montrose Township police officer Stephen Robinson had probable cause to arrest Thomas Leonard in 2002 when Leonard cursed while addressing the township board. Read more »

Proposed $2-billion makeover of the ugly concrete waterway calls for a string of parks, housing and offices. After decades of enduring jokes about the city’s concrete-lined waterway, officials today will release an ambitious master plan for restoring the Los Angeles River, a project that reflects lofty dreams and carries a big price tag. Read more »

FORT WORTH, Texas – An elementary school teacher was disciplined for showing her fifth-graders parts of the R-rated film “Amistad” during a lesson on slavery.

On Jan. 25, Larue Washington showed her Ridglea Hills Elementary class clips from the 1997 Steven Spielberg film depicting slaves en route to the Americas, including a scene in which a character was stabbed, district officials said. Read more »