Obama Reverses Bush to Protect Endangered Species

Good news.

President Obama on Tuesday overturned a last-minute Bush administration regulation that many environmentalists claim weakened the Endangered Species Act.

The regulation, issued a few weeks before George W. Bush left office, made it easier for federal agencies to skip consultations with government scientists before launching projects that could affect endangered wildlife.

By overturning the regulation, Obama said during an enthusiastic reception at the Interior Department, he had restored "the scientific process to its rightful place at the heart of the Endangered Species Act, a process undermined by past administrations."

Under the Bush administration rule, there was no need for a federal agency to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Services if that agency determined that no harm would come to an endangered species as a result of its project.

I would way that listening to scientists on scientific matters is a good thing

Photo of the endangered Eastern Indigo snake

Some Good News

Dept of Interior Sec. Salazar announced today that last minutes Bush Admin. leases on National land in Utah would be canceled.

More than 100,000 acres of Utah wilderness will be protected from oil and gas drilling after the Department of Interior announced today that it will cancel 77 leases issued under the Bush administration. This is among the first actions taken by the Obama administration to protect America’s wild lands. Since December, a coalition of environmental groups – led by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), Earthjustice, and the Wilderness Society – have been working to protect these public lands. In December, the coalition filed suit to stop the leasing, and, in January, Judge Ricardo M. Urbina of the U.S. District Court granted a temporary restraining order preventing the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from moving forward with these leases.

“I see this announcement as a sign that after eight long years of rapacious greed and backdoor dealings, our government is returning a sense of balance to the way it manages our lands," said Robert Redford, an NRDC trustee. "American citizens once again have a say in the fate of their public lands, which in this case happen to be some of the last pristine places on earth.”

Photo by Flickr user John Purkis used under a Creative Common License

Offshore Oil Drilling

Coming to a California Coast near you!

The federal government is taking steps that may open California's fabled coast to oil drilling in as few as three years, an action that could place dozens of platforms off the Sonoma, Mendocino and Humboldt coasts, and raises the specter of spills, air pollution and increased ship traffic into San Francisco Bay.

The federal government is taking steps that may open California's fabled coast to oil drilling in as few as three years, an action that could place dozens of platforms off the Sonoma, Mendocino and Humboldt coasts, and raises the specter of spills, air pollution and increased ship traffic into San Francisco Bay.

You really have to hand it to Democrats bowing to the mighty power of the oil industry during last summer's gas price sky-rocket. Offshore oil drilling was never a short-term solution to gas prices and their decision not to press the Bush administration on renewing the ban looks even sillier today. Hopefully Boxer and Pelosi can block this or President Obama can reinstate the executive order before any rights are sold.

Photo by Flickr user tsuda used under a creative Commons License.

Moments in Hackery

An article in a pet trade magazine Pet Age about the worries of the pet industry in regards to an Obama administration is pretty awesome in its ability to be such a worthless piece of hack-job journalism. Congratulations to Cathy Foster. As Atrios would say. Wanker of the Day!

For starters this is piece has a lot of quotes from various pet shop owners. Most of their quotes are full of right-wing talking points and not a single quote was published from a source who felt an Obama administration may stregthen their business, despite Pet Age's own (unscientific) poll showing that 25% percent of respondents thought that an Obama administration would be better for their business compared to 33% who thought they would be worse off. I have given interviews with Pet Age magazine over the last year and we were never asked our view on this issue when it was out there for everyone to see. Ms. Foster could have hardly looked far for an opinion contrary to the article she wanted to write.

Now, granted there were more people fearful than hopeful, so what does this mean. I think this goes to the heart of our industry where so many people fear us coastal liberals trying to take away their money and what-not. Even when an Obama administration are probably more aligned with thier views.

Is this Obama fear because most pet store owners are making more than $250,000 a year and are worried their taxes will be raised. Maybe but I doubt it. I think it is a lot of misinformed people worrying about their taxes being raised such as a person quoted in the story.

Larry Greenberg, owner of Animal Magnetism (Naples, Fla.), also is worried his taxes might increase under the Obama administration, despite campaign promises that only those who make more than $250,000 would see a tax hike. “A week before the election, he changed that $250,000 to $100,000. Who knows what it’s going to be? It will definitely affect individuals and Sub S corporations. What about [other] corporate returns?”

Now I am sure some Pet retailers are worried about the Obama Administration and their bottom line, but I think the economy and health care are going to be much bigger factors in our collective economic outcomes than a potential tax increase.

A National Health Care plan of some sort would take the health insurance burden off of the small business, I thought a good thing for struggling small business. Better protection of our natural resources will allow more people to experiance herps in the wild and bring about a better appreciation of them and lead to more people wanting to care for them in thier homes as pets, again I think a good thing for the pet reatiler. If people are worried about more regulations in regards to pet quality of life, then maybe they need to examine the treatment of pets in puppy mills etc.

In addition to worrying about the new administration’s effect on the general business climate, some pet retailers who sell puppies and other pets also are concerned it could pave the way to extreme laws regarding animal sales. “That’s certainly possible,” said Greenberg. “If more rampant liberalism takes hold, then certainly the more radical as well as the more moderate pet organizations could certainly get some legislation through that would harm the business.”

Because rampant Conservatism has been so good for business. In case people have forgotten, he has been President during this economic disaster.

But back to the point of wankery, this was a very one-sided article and I am not arguing balance for the sake of balance, but even Pet Age's own poll shows that there are a far more people who think that the Obama administration will have a positive or no effect on their business that think there will be a negative affect, but you would never know it from this article.

Scientists involved in Science Policy

Gasp!

Hopefully this is true. Having a Nobel Prize winning scientist as Sec. of Energy would be a major change from the usual industry insiders in charge of our energy policy.

The Washington Post’s Al Kamen reports that there’s “buzz” that the Obama transition is “looking hard at some scientific types” to lead the Energy Department. Dr. Steven Chu, the Nobel laureate director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, is reportedly a dark horse candidate.

In a presentation at this summer’s National Clean Energy Summit convened by the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), and the Center for American Progress Action Fund, Dr. Chu described why he has moved from his background in experimental quantum physics to tackling global warming.

Bush to Eliminate Neurotoxin Regulation

Now you can get your water with as much neurotoxin in it as you (or polluters) wish.

Among the Bush administration's final environmental legacies will be a decision to exempt perchlorate, a known neurotoxin found at unsafe levels in the drinking water of millions of Americans, from federal regulation.

The ruling, proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency in October, was supposed to be formalized on Monday. That deadline passed, but the agency expects to announce its decision by the year's end, before president-elect Barack Obama takes office. It could take years to reverse.

Critics accuse the EPA of ignoring expert advice and basing their decision on an abstract model of perchlorate exposure, rather than existing human data.

"We know that breast milk is widely contaminated with perchlorate, and we know that young children are especially vulnerable. We have really good human data. So why are they putting a model front-and-center?" said Anila Jacobs at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group. "And they used a model that hasn't yet gone through the peer-review process."

Guessing Game

Which of the following quotes is from the Onion and which is from Conservative Blog Powerline:

(1) Obama thinks he is a good talker, but he is often undisciplined when he speaks. He needs to understand that as President, his words will be scrutinized and will have impact whether he intends it or not. In this regard, President Bush is an excellent model; Obama should take a lesson from his example. Bush never gets sloppy when he is speaking publicly. He chooses his words with care and precision, which is why his style sometimes seems halting. In the eight years he has been President, it is remarkable how few gaffes or verbal blunders he has committed. If Obama doesn't raise his standards, he will exceed Bush's total before he is inaugurated.

(2) According to a CNN exit poll, 42 percent of voters said that the nation's financial woes had finally become frightening enough to eclipse such concerns as gay marriage, while 30 percent said that the relentless body count in Iraq was at last harrowing enough to outweigh long ideological debates over abortion. In addition, 28 percent of voters were reportedly too busy paying off medical bills, desperately trying not to lose their homes, or watching their futures disappear to dismiss Obama any longer.

You cannot say both are from the Onion.

The Onion or Hindrocket?

Via TPM

Doing what you get elected to do

From Rahm Emanuel, President-elect Obama's Chief of Staff.

It has bipartisan agreement in the House and Senate. It's something President-elect Obama expects to see. Second would be [ending current restrictions on federally funded] stem-cell research. And third would be an economic recovery package focused on the two principles of job creation and tax relief for middle-class families."

Emphasis mine but glad to see the rest of the country will be joining California and the World in being able to perform good stem cell science. This was a backwards thinking ban and I could not be happier to see it be one of President Obama's first priorities.

Photo of stem cells differentiating into neurons by me.

First Dog

Discussion at President-elect Obama's first press conference turned towards the all important issue of the first dog.

“There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic, but on the other hand our preference is to get a shelter dog, but obviously, a lot of the shelter dogs are mutts like me,” Obama said. “So, whether we are going to be able to balance those two things I think is a pressing issue on the Obama household.”

It would be great if they went with a shelter dog, but I understand the need for more hypoallergenic breeds.

My Favorite Line

"Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House."

Can I recommend a Boston Terrier?

Photo by the gf

Hell Yeah America!!!

We did it! An historic night.

I am not ashamed to say I am crying right now.

The environment thanks you, the country thanks you, the world thanks you!!!

Photo by Flickr user and friend of the store baltus15

Go Vote

Exercise your right to vote! Come by the shop and show us what an awesome citizen you are. California State law requires that your employer give you up to 2 hours paid time off to vote if you are not able to vote before or after work. Lines are long even here in California so get out there.

Adding ... I vote by mail, but usually drop my ballot off that my precinct location. Zara and I went this morning where they actually let her come into the church hall with me to sign the drop-off sheet. Her first election is a historic one.

Photo by Flickr user √oхέƒx™ used under a Creative Commons License.

Age of the Earth

Well at least she believes in Dinosaurs. Too bad she thinks that they walked the earth the same time as modern humans, since the earth is only 7000 years old and all.

We need a leader who at a minimum understands the VERY BASICS of scientific reasoning.

Photo of T-Rex fossil from UC Berkeley by Flickr user lobotomy42 used under a Creative Commons License

Via Michael Tomansky

Grizzly Bear

Some good news out of a study of Montana's Grizzly Bear population.

The majestic grizzly bear, once king of the Western wilderness but threatened with extinction for a third of a century, has roared back in Montana.

The finding, from a $4.8 million, five-year study of grizzly bear DNA criticized by Republican presidential candidate John McCain as pork barrel spending, could help ease restrictions on oil and gas drilling, logging and other development.

Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey announced Tuesday that there are approximately 765 bears in northwestern Montana. That's the largest population of grizzly bears documented there in more than 30 years, and a sign that the species could be at long last rebounding.

The first-ever scientific census shattered earlier estimates that said there were at least 250-350 bears roaming the area. More recent data placed the minimum population at around 563 bears.

"There has never been any baseline information on population size," said Katherine Kendall, the lead researcher, who said the results speak for themselves. "There has been huge investments of time and money to recover (the grizzly bear) but they don't know whether their actions have been successful."

McCain, in stump speeches and in an advertisement earlier this year, erroneously said the study cost $3 million, adding "I don't know if it was a paternity issue or criminal, but it was a waste of money."

The study was backed by Montana ranchers, farmers and Republican leaders as a step toward taking the species off the endangered species list. Since 1975, the bear has been threatened in the lower 48 states, a status that bars hunting and restricts any kind of development that could diminish the bear's population.

Maybe McCain should be happy that this study was performed, as it may allow for the easing of some protections for the Montana grizzly. As long as numbers continue to improve or stay stable and protections not eased too much then this sounds like a win for all parties involved.

Photo by Flickr user grizzbass used under a Creative Commons License
This artist has some awesome wildlife shots so go check out his photostream

Alec Baldwin Loves his Country

Look at all those flag lapel pins. Most patriotic dude EVAH!

ht Mike D.

Know Your Rights Part III

Apparently the Michigan GOP thinks that home ownership is necessary to vote. I was pretty sure we got rid of that rule sometime in the late 19th Century, but these guys think not.

Why are they scared of you voting?

The chairman of the Republican Party in Macomb County Michigan, a key swing county in a key swing state, is planning to use a list of foreclosed homes to block people from voting in the upcoming election as part of the state GOP’s effort to challenge some voters on Election Day.

“We will have a list of foreclosed homes and will make sure people aren’t voting from those addresses,” party chairman James Carabelli told Michigan Messenger in a telephone interview earlier this week. He said the local party wanted to make sure that proper electoral procedures were followed.

Photo by Flickr user nshepard used under a Creative Commons License

ActBlue

We are going to try and do a little fund raising for the Obama campaign because we feel very strongly that his pro-environment, pro-science stance is much more in line with the Herping Community than John McCain and Sarah Palin.

Help us reach our first goal of 25 herping donors. $10, $20 whatever you can spare, it all helps. Remember that a majority of Obama's money has come from small-money donors like you and I.

From the East Bay Vivarium ActBlue page:

Do you believe in science, protecting the environment for us to go herping in, leaving a better world for our children, cleaner energy, and honor? We want a President who shares our values and is more like us, do you? If so, join us in supporting Barack Obama for President of the United States.

We believe candidates with strong, sound stances deserve our support, and this is a race where your dollars can make the difference. Please make a contribution to this critical cause.

If you are unfamiliar with ActBlue, here are answers to some FAQ

Neither the East Bay Vivarium nor ActBlue take a portion of your political donation, aside from ActBlue's standard credit card processing fee.

Women's Rights You Can Believe In?!?

We are trying to focus on the science and environmental issues during this Presidential Election but this is too vile and disgusting to not be talked about.

While some of their complaints have already been aired, Knowles broke new ground while answering a reporter's question on whether Wasilla forced rape victims to pay for their own forensic tests when Palin was mayor.

True, Knowles said.

Eight years ago, complaints about charging rape victims for medical exams in Wasilla prompted the Alaska Legislature to pass a bill -- signed into law by Knowles -- that banned the practice statewide.

"There was one town in Alaska that was charging victims for this, and that was Wasilla," Knowles said

A May 23, 2000, article in Wasilla's newspaper, The Frontiersman, noted that Alaska State Troopers and most municipal police agencies regularly pay for such exams, which cost between $300 and $1,200 apiece.

"(But) the Wasilla police department does charge the victims of sexual assault for the tests," the newspaper reported.

It also quoted Wasilla Police Chief Charlie Fannon objecting to the law. Fannon was appointed to his position by Palin after her dismissal of the previous police chief. He said it would cost Wasilla $5,000 to $14,000 a year if the city had to foot the bill for rape exams.

"In the past we've charged the cost of exams to the victims' insurance company when possible," Fannon told the newspaper. "I just don't want to see any more burden put on the taxpayer."

Not only was this tactic disturbing but it may have been illegal under the Violence Against Women Act, which was written by Joe Biden, who is the real women's rights activist in this campaign.

Original reporting on this subject back in 2000 by the Alaska Frontiersman here.

Credit where credit is due file (kinda)

As a Federally funded research scientist I obviously value funding for research. News of some of Sarah Palin's earmark requests last year, had me slightly confused.

Palin's office requested $2 million in federal monies to study crab mating habits; $494,900 for the recreational halibut harvest and $3.2 million for seal genetics research.

Those requests for the study of wildlife genetics and mating habits seems pretty antithetical to the long-standig views of Palin's running mate, John McCain.

"We're not going to spend $3 million of your tax dollars to study the DNA of bears in Montana," McCain said earlier this year, referring to a request from Montana for federal money to study the endangered grizzly bear. "I don't know if it was a paternity issue or criminal, but it was a waste of money."

Now, there is certainly a hypocrisy problem here between McCain and Palin's views on wildlife research, but that was not what struck me as odd. Palin does not believe in evolution or really even in science for that matter, so what is the deal with these earmarks. Do we give her credit for funding scientific study (regardless of the appropriatness of the dollar amount)? Of is there something fishy going on?

Turns out there may be something fishy going on. As in the fishing industry in Alaska which Gov. Palin has close ties to (although to be fair I would guess that everyone in Alaska has ties to the fishing industry).

As a related matter, most of Palin's 'science' earmarks requested for last year are actually sops to the fishing industry in her state to which she is closely tied.

More information in this regard would be nice. Citation Josh?

Also the discussion going on at TPM over the appropriateness of funding science research through earmarks rather than peer-review is a very interesting one. I think there are very few cases where earmarks are an appropriate way to fund science research, but research through Dept. of Fish and Wildlife that funds their research through a larger budget rather than something like the NSF or the NIH may be one.

Too soon to tell what is going on here, but just wanted to point out that $3M for seal DNA testing is not necessiarly a "pork-barrell" project. This is no Bridge to Nowhere.

UPDATE: Oh my. I thought the bear DNA comment was from years ago. This video shows it being just a few days ago with Sarah Palin at McCain's side when he said it.

Matt Damon Smack Down

What John Cole says

"At what point did our crazy Hollywood types develop more sense than the entire Republican party? Damon is right- this is like a bad Hollywood movie, and that is how they are marketing her."

My favorite part below because it does pertain to the attack on science and education:

"I really want to know if she thinks dinosaurs were here 4000 years ago. That's an important ... I want to know that ... I really do. Because she is going to have the nuclear codes. You know. I wanna know if she thinks dinosaurs were here 4000 years ago or if she banned books or tried to ban books I mean ... you know ... We can't we can't have that."