| The debate over the war in Congress this winter is likely just a ...
An appreciation of the historian, activist and writer who played a central role in defining modern American liberalism. By Theodore C. Sorensen Issue Date: 04.04.07 Print Friendly | Email Article When Robert Kuttner, Robert Reich and Paul Starr first conceived the idea for a liberal magazine that was to become The American Prospect, one of the first people they consulted was Arthur Schlesinger. It was an obvious choice. As a historian, activist and writer on current affairs, Schlesinger had been an intellectual beacon for American liberals since the Forties. He agreed to become one of the magazine's founding sponsors, wrote a major article for our inaugural issue, and as recently as 2004, contributed an election post-mortem predicting that hubris and incompetence would be the Republicans' undoing.
7:46 am: International global warming conference approves report ...
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) _ An international global warming conference approved a report Friday warning of dire threats to the Earth and to mankind _ from increased hunger to the extinction of species _ unless the world adapts to climate change and halts its progress.Agreement came after an all-night session during which key sections were deleted from the draft and scientists angrily confronted government negotiators who they feared were watering down their findings.''It has been a complex exercise,'' said Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.Several scientists objected to the editing of the final draft by government negotiators but in the end agreed to compromises.The climax of five days of negotiations was reached when the delegates removed parts of a key chart highlighting devastating effects of climate change that kick in with every rise of one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit), and in a tussle over the level of scientific reliability attached to key statements.
Indicator Index Points to a Slowdown
TOKYO -- An index of key economic indicators yesterday suggested Japan's economy might lose some steam in the coming months, but analysts doubt there will be any severe slowdown. The index of leading indicators stood at 35.0 in January, the third straight month for the figure to hold below the so-called boom-or-bust line of 50, Cabinet Office data showed. A reading below 50 for the index ... .
Are Workers Really Being Left Behind?
The House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would remove the right of employers to request that workers take part in secret-ballot elections before a union can be recognized. The passing of the bill comes at the behest of Democrats who argue that workers are not benefiting from the economic growth experienced in the past several years. Regardless of one's opinion of the merits of the legislation, the fact remains that its introduction is based on a false premise. Many of those who trumpet stagnant earnings are too focused on hourly wages. In contrast, when one looks at total hourly compensation, the stagnation begins to disappear. This phenomenon is as a result of rising premiums on health insurance - a form of compensation provided by employers. As the cost of health insurance rises, companies are not as likely or as able to provide substantial, additional wage increases.
Learning from Chechnya
MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Dmitry Shusharin) - The inauguration of Ramzan Kadyrov, the new president of Chechnya, has added color to Russian political life - a serious political event was the subject of mockery for the first time. A group of young people gathered at the Chechen Republic's Moscow mission to congratulate Mr. Kadyrov on his new position and nominate him for the Russian presidency. One of the slogans was "Putin today - Kadyrov tomorrow." Strictly speaking, this was not open challenge to Kadyrov or the federal authorities, but in reality this action reflected what a large proportion of citizens and public associations with diverse political views think about Kadyrov's presidency - not much, to put it mildly. Ramzan Kadyrov irritates both Western-democracy-oriented human rights activists and those who consider themselves patriots of Russia.
Profiles in Municipal Sustainability: An Interview with Dean Kubani
Over the past year, as climate change and other environmental issues took their place at the center of public concern, cities and municipal governments have emerged as progress leaders. City sustainability initiatives are now the norm, rather than the exception. In the past year alone, some of the nation's largest cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Washington DC, have launched sustainability initiatives or announced sustainability as a goal, joining noteworthy sustainability leaders such as Chicago, Austin, Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. PBS recently aired a series called Edens Lost and Found, featuring sustainability efforts in four cities. This movement among city governments is gaining broader attention for its ambition, as noted last month by Neil Peirce in the American Prospect.
Unlocking the door to the Bar
The long-awaited report by Lord Neuberger's working party on widening access to the Bar was officially unveiled today (5 April). The report sets out a number of proposals for boosting access and diversity within the Bar. Neuberger tells Legal Week: “Without a doubt the situation needs to be improved — we have the opportunity to coordinate a whole set of proposals which, together, may make a difference." A key feature of the report is an emphasis on improving the quality and distribution of information available to students, ranging from schoolchildren to those on the Bar Vocational Course (BVC). The working group hopes that improving access to information in state schools will go some way to making the Bar a potential career path for those from less privileged backgrounds.
Car sales drop: FMTA
VEHICLE sales have dropped in Fiji affecting the five motor traders in Fiji who altogether employ 1200 people, says Fiji Motor Traders Association president Ian McLean. Mr McLean said the new vehicles sales data released yesterday confirmed this drop in Fiji. "New vehicle sales data released today confirms the trend established since the coup in December 2006. Year to date sales to March 2007 are down by 37 per cent. In the three months to march this year a total of 378 new Motor Vehicle sales occurred in Fiji. This is 222 units less than for the same period in 2006. This is having a serious impact on the five members of the FMTA who collectively employ 1200 people." The significance of these figures needs to be recognised, as in all economies new vehicle sales are seen as a key economic indicator.
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