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Exclusive: The methane time bomb

Underground stores of methane are important because scientists believe their sudden release has in the past been responsible for rapid increases in global temperatures, dramatic changes to the climate, and even the mass extinction of species. Scientists aboard a research ship that has sailed the entire length of Russia's northern coast have discovered intense concentrations of methane – sometimes at up to 100 times background levels – over several areas covering thousands of square miles of the Siberian continental shelf.

In the past few days, the researchers have seen areas of sea foaming with gas bubbling up through "methane chimneys" rising from the sea floor. They believe that the sub-sea layer of permafrost, which has acted like a "lid" to prevent the gas from escaping, has melted away to allow methane to rise from underground deposits formed before the last ice age.

Boehner: Still A Whiny Shitbag Liar

Shays, too:
House rejects bailout plan - David Rogers - Politico.com

Republicans said Pelosi may have lost votes with a floor speech they considered too partisan. "We could have gotten it if it were not for this partisan speech that Speaker Pelosi gave,” Boehner said.

Added Rep. Chris Shays, a Connecticut Republican who also voted for the bill: “Nancy blew it.”

"That is an absurd accusation at a time when our country is in deep economic distress," a Pelosi spokesman fired back.

"You don't vote on a speech, you vote on a bill."

My Deeply-Held Beliefs Tell Me That This Study Is Bogus

Does ideology trump facts? Studies say it often does

We like to think that people will be well informed before making important decisions, such as who to vote for, but the truth is that's not always the case. Being uninformed is one thing, but having a population that's actively misinformed presents problems when it comes to participating in the national debate, or the democratic process. If the findings of some political scientists are right, attempting to correct misinformation might do nothing more than reinforce the false belief.

Hockey Mom of All Battles

My Take on Palin

As the euphoria starts to fade, Sarah Palin is looking less and less like a McCain's salvation. She may be a game-changer, but she's not going to change it in the way the McCain camp expected it to.

Palin has already reached the 'hiding from the press' phase of politics, and she hasn't even been elected yet! She's gone from nobody to celebrity in no time, and I predict she'll go from celebrity to anti-celebrity just as quickly. I think McCain's miscalculation is assuming the press would roll over as usual and not investigate Palin's past. But the press is even more of a slave to sensationalism than they are to the Republican machine. Given a taste of blood with the (intentional) promotion of the teenage pregnancy story after Palin's candidacy was announced, the media sharks are hungry for more, meatier scandal. And Palin has a past that can provide it. There's a vacuum of news coverage between now and the debates, and the Village needs something to blather on about. McCain/Palin will provide.

Instead of defusing the non-scandal of teen pregnancy, the McCain campaign has lit the fuse on a much bigger bomb. Here's hoping.

Kim Jong Ill?

Couldn't resist.

NORTH KOREA: KIM JONG IL'S ABSENCE SPARKS CONCERN AS NUCLEAR DEAL STALLS

Palin / McCain Campaign Theme Song

If they don't yet have one, let me suggest the following Elvis Costello classic:

Oh I just don't know where to begin
Though he says hell wait forever
Its now or never
But she keeps him hanging on
The silly champion
She says she cant go home
Without a chaperon

Accidents will happen
We only hit and run
He used to be your victim
Now you're not the only one

Accidents will happen
We only hit and run
I don't want to hear it
cause I know what I've done

There's so many fish in the sea
That only rise up in the sweat and smoke like mercury
But they keep you hanging on
They say you're so young
Your mind is made up but your mouth is undone

(chorus)

And its the damage that we do
And never know
Its the words that we don't say
That scare me so

There's so many people to see
So many people you can check upon
And add to your collection
But they keep you hanging on
Until you're well hung
Your mouth is made up but your mind is undone

(chorus)

I know, I know, (repeat)