US/NATO missiles bombing Russia could lead to nuclear war

I usually look forward to writing this blog. Not so much when the topic is nuclear war.

Ok, so now that I’ve lost half my audience (I get it: who wants to discuss nuclear war?), let me ask the remaining half to indulge the urgency of this message.

Not my message, so much, but the message of Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, founded in 1945 by Albert Einstein, Robert Oppenheimer, and others. The work of this prestigious organization includes the Doomsday Clock in response to the threat of nuclear war and other existential dangers.

Earlier this year, the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board wrote that, “in large part because of Russian threats to use nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine” they were moving the Clock to 90 seconds to midnight, “the closest to global catastrophe it has ever been.”

If we were 90 seconds from global catastrophe before President Biden said he might allow Ukraine to launch long-range missiles deep inside Russia, the Clock certainly has advanced further in the wrong direction.
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Janet Clark: Author, Trump voter

Like many voters, Janet believed the 2016 Democratic primary was rigged to assure Hillary Clinton’s victory. She was deeply disappointed that Sanders eventually endorsed Clinton. “I voted for Trump because, between him and Clinton, I felt he was the better of the two candidates — that and I think that both Clintons are extremely corrupt,” she says. Continue Reading →

Biden’s only good choice for VP

The gaping hole in Biden’s must-win electorate universe is the progressive base — Democrats, independents, and non-voters who hunger for real change. Sorry to say, I’m already hearing from way too many who won’t vote for Biden. The best, perhaps only, way to change that is for Biden to choose a running mate who will excite the progressive base. There’s only one serious prospect on the horizon who fills that bill … Continue Reading →

Joe Biden and the Oligarchy

It’s not that hard to understand why Biden will lose. In 21st century presidential elections, perceived outsider beats perceived insider. Every. Single. Time. The principle’s results are consistent. Al Gore. John Kerry. John McCain. Mitt Romney. Hillary Clinton. Perceived (or actual) insider has lost every presidential election since 2000. Continue Reading →

Mingling with Trumpers

Kathy the Fierce hoisted a “Climate is a Crisis” sign while I kept a wary eye for anyone inclined to get physical. Kathy’s sign immediately attracted a slew of disapproving stares. A man in overalls sporting a red “Keep America Great” hat warned that the Secret Service would evict us. Continue Reading →

Climate Crisis Parade Could be Huge

The Climate Crisis Parade planned for February 1st in Des Moines is shaping up to be a major event. As of today, a coalition of 55 organizations has signed on as co-sponsors. The primary focus of the multi-faceted event is to challenge the media to do a better job covering the worsening climate crisis.

Every four years, Des Moines is “media central” during the days leading up to the Iowa Caucuses. To act on this unprecedented opportunity for national and international coverage, the coalition is inviting participants to meet at Cowles Commons to hear influential climate voices make the climate connections the media is ignoring. Continue Reading →

Vote Twice!

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced last month that nine Iowans voted twice in the previous election. Ouch. Bad voters. Everyone knows that voting twice — or even once if you’re deceased — is always wrong. Except when it comes to …

… the Iowa Caucuses! That’s right. On February 3rd, Iowa Democrats who cast their support for a candidate who receives less than 15 percent of the vote get to vote a second time.

Is this a great state, or what! Continue Reading →

My endorsement(s) for president

While every Democrat running for president takes the climate crisis seriously, only one instills complete confidence that climate will be their top priority. That candidate is Tom Steyer (read on to see who is my second choice, which matters a lot in the Iowa Caucuses). Tom constantly assures voters that climate is the first item he’ll tackle as president. He also has the strongest track record, pumping his money, time, and energy into climate activism for over a decade. Continue Reading →

Did a climate champion emerge from last night’s “debate?”

During the fifth Democratic “debate,” Big Media again reminded us why it is culpable in enabling humanity’s blind rush toward climate chaos. As was the case in the previous three debates, climate got short shrift.

Despite that, several candidates found opportunities to highlight the urgency of the crisis, inserting it into non-climate questions. Continue Reading →