Anti-terror tactics 'weaken law'

"BBC NEWS | World | Anti-terror tactics 'weaken law'
The UK and the US have 'actively undermined' international law in the way they fight terrorism, a report by judges and lawyers has said. The independent International Commission of Jurists carried out a three-year global study. It concluded that many measures introduced to fight terrorism were illegal and counter-productive."

Anyone with half a brain (and that obviously discounts the Bush administration) could see that abducting and torturing people, and even using foreign interrogation centres to get around your own laws, isn't exactly taking the moral high ground.

"Mr Chaskelson, chairman of the panel, said: 'In the course of this inquiry, we have been shocked by the extent of the damage done over the past seven years by excessive or abusive counter-terrorism measures in a wide range of countries around the world. Many governments, ignoring the lessons of history, have allowed themselves to be rushed into hasty responses to terrorism that have undermined cherished values and violated human rights. The result is a serious threat to the integrity of the international human rights legal framework.'"

It is a shame that the panel doesn't go a step further specifically name Bush.

BBC NEWS | World | Anti-terror tactics 'weaken law'

"Business call for plan on climate
Global businesses have called for a legally binding and comprehensive international deal on climate change. A binding agreement on emissions reductions would encourage business to invest in low-carbon technologies, a statement from 150 businesses said.

The statement - backed by Prince Charles - will be sent to environment ministers and heads of state ahead of talks in Bali on climate change. Nokia, Tesco, Lloyds TSB and Nike are among the 150 firms that made the call. The signatories represent companies from Europe, the US, China and Australia."

This comes as quite a surprise to me - is it all just hot air?

"The signs from America are that the business leaders will be rebuffed while President George W Bush is still in charge. The US head of climate policy has confirmed to the BBC's Environment Analyst that the White House will not agree to binding international emissions cuts during the UN's climate negotiations. James Connaughton said the US favoured national and sectoral policies - not a one-size-fits-all international target. He said the US would continue to increase the carbon efficiency of its economy but he could not foresee the day when America would stop its growth in greenhouse gas emissions."

So the USA, or much more accurately, the Bush administration is playing the same old tune and basically doesn't give a damn about global warming. Now, isn't that a surprise? My advice to industry - at least those who want to do something positive - ignore that lame duck administration and go your own way.

BBC NEWS | Business | Business call for plan on climate

Technorati tags: climate global warming industry Prince Charles Bush administration

"Democrats condemn Bush over Iraq
Leading members of the US Democratic Party have criticised President George W Bush's speech in which he defended his Iraq policy. Mr Bush said a military retreat could trigger the kind of upheaval seen after US forces left Vietnam. The leader of the Senate, Harry Reid, dismissed the comparison and said the decision to invade Iraq was one of the worst blunders in US history."

Well, actually, Bush is nearly right. He's correct to compare with it Vietnam:
. its a quagmire with no easy way out
. thousands of innocents are loosing their lives
. the lives of hundreds of US military personnel are being wasted

Now, if he'd have just listen to those that were telling him this before the invasion...

Technorati tags: Bush Iraq Vietnam

"US House passes clean energy bill
The draft law aims to boost US use of renewable energy
The US House of Representatives has passed a radical new energy bill, which aims to expand the use of renewable fuels and cut tax breaks to oil firms. The draft law details support for 'clean' energy sources like biofuels, wind, solar and geothermal resources."

Lets hope this doesn't lead to yet more US-owned or US-backed companies hacking down yet more rainforest.

"It would withdraw some $16bn (£8bn) in annual subsidies from the oil industry. But the bill is opposed by President George Bush, and still has to be merged with other energy measures passed by the Senate before it can become law."

Bush - opposed to subsidy cuts to the oil industry - well isn't that a surprise.

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | US House passes clean energy bill

Technorati tags: oil energy environment green biofuel rainforest Bush

"US rejects German G8 climate goal
Washington says it will not agree to a deal on slashing greenhouse gas emissions at the G8 summit in Germany. A top US climate official [briefly removed his head from the sand and] said the G8 should not dictate members' policies..."

Well, what a surprise - not.

BBC NEWS | World | Europe | US rejects German G8 climate goal

Technorati tags: climate Bush G8 Washingon greenhouse gas CO2 emissions

"US urges new greenhouse gas goals
US President George W Bush has urged countries to agree on long-term goals for greenhouse gas emissions."

Sorry - who? I thought for one moment, you said George W Bush...

"He said he would hold meetings bringing together the US and 14 other major emitters, including developing nations, to set targets by the end of 2008."

You're sure you're talking about the right guy here?

"BBC environment analyst Roger Harrabin says Mr Bush's speech was short on details, and White House aides have made clear Mr Bush will oppose demands for the US to cut emissions and join a global carbon trading system."

So what does this mean, exactly? That he just wants other countries to reduce their emissions?

"In his speech on Thursday in Washington, Mr Bush said his administration took climate change seriously."

Can anyone say "U turn"? The only thing the administration has been doing to date in relation to climate change is trying to deny that its happening.

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | US urges new greenhouse gas goals

Technorati tags: Bush climate emissions G8