Observations: Is Earth past the tipping point?

Biodiversity loss. Land use. Freshwater use. Nitrogen and phosphorus cycles. Stratospheric ozone. Ocean acidification. Climate change. Chemical Pollution. Aerosol loading in the atmosphere.

A team of 30 scientists across the globe have determined that the nine environmental processes named above must remain within specific limits, otherwise the "safe operating space" within which humankind can exist on Earth will be threatened. Amid some controversy, the group has set numeric limits for seven of the nine so far (chemical pollution and aerosol loading are still being pinned down). And the researchers have determined that the world has already crossed the boundary in three cases: biodiversity loss, the nitrogen cycle and climate change.

Puzzling Statement: Obama Says ‘Louisiana Purchase’ Will Help With the Earthquake in Hawaii

The Buzz Log – Warren Buffett: Born to Rock – Yahoo! Buzz

Warren Buffett is not your average investor. One of the most brilliant financial minds in the history of capitalism, Mr. Buffett has earned a personal fortune that regularly places him among Forbes magazine's wealthiest individuals. And yet, unlike so many of his fellow billionaires, Buffett isn't afraid to make fun of himself.

Cisco Telepresence Magic

Cisco Telepresence Magic. Btw, if you want to take a look at a more formal video on the same event, feel free to check out: http://www.musion.co.uk/Cis...

 

Greek Porn | Julia Alexandratou | Sex Tape - Pop star's porn video distracts Greeks

A peroxided blonde mounted on high heels stalks into an uptown bar in northern Athens, turning every customer's head.

Swathed in a leopard-print fur, she is instantly recognizable as Greece's scandalous new "it girl."

Julia Alexandratou, a 23-year-old minor Greek-British celebrity, attained Paris Hilton-esque infamy overnight when a controversial porn film starring her went on sale across Greece this month.

In the bar, she sat down with me. Beside her was her ever-present, chain-smoking metrosexual manager, Menior Fourthiotis. Alexandratou had agreed to give her first interview since triggering a nationwide sensation with her porn performance. All eyes in the bar were on our table.

 

Former CIA spy speaks out in new book about war on terror

Just months after the 9/11 attacks, the United States appeared to have its biggest catch in the newly launched war on terror.

Abu Zubaydah, considered one of al Qaeda's senior lieutenants, lay in a pool of blood on a street in Faisalabad, Pakistan, having been shot three times during a U.S.-coordinated raid on a house where a group of suspected terrorists was building a bomb. CIA operative John Kiriakou, who helped plan the raid, rushed to the scene. But when he gazed down at the critically wounded man, it didn't quite look like the person he had seen in a 4-year-old passport.

In his new book, "The Reluctant Spy," Kiriakou gives an insider's view of his secret life as a spy and his role in fighting the war on terror.

Kiriakou said he was able to quickly verify Zubaydah's identity by sending a picture of his ear to CIA headquarters in Virginia. "I didn't realize until that night that no two people have the same ears. It's like a fingerprint," he said. The American spy was ordered by then-CIA Director George Tenet to do everything in his power to keep Zubaydah alive and to never let him out of his sight. That's exactly what Kiriakou did.

 

Pope says ’sorry’ for Irish church abuse – CNN.com

Pope Benedict XVI said Saturday he is "truly sorry" for the abuse suffered by victims at the hands of Catholic priests in Ireland.

The pope directly addressed the church abuse crisis that has rocked the Irish Catholic Church in an 18-page letter, which was made public Saturday. It is expected to be read in churches across Ireland on Sunday.

"I have been deeply disturbed by the information which has come to light regarding the abuse of children and vulnerable young people by members of the church in Ireland, particularly by priests and religious," the pope wrote.

Read Pope Benedict XVI's letter in full (pdf)

Marty Klein: America’s War on Sex

reason.tv recently caught up with author Marty Klein to chat about his book America's War on Sex: The Attack on Law, Lust and Liberty.

"Our glorious Constitution," says Klein, a certified sex therapist and frequent expert witness in anti-censorship court cases, "guarantees us the widest range of right civilization has ever seen. Why are those rights systematically damaged and repealed when it comes to sexual expression?"

POLICE STATE 2010: Homeland Security Unveils Mobile Mind Screening Checkpoints

MAPLight.org – Money and Politics ( under this link is the original and longer  video from MAPLight.org)

MAPLight.org is a groundbreaking public website. It puts the spotlight on the connection between money and politics in the United States of America. Two public databases are combined: a data base of all known campaign contributions to any legislator, and a database on how legislators voted on specific bills and resolutions. Bringing the data on money and voting together provides unprecedented insight into the legislative processes in the US. The website is a treasure for journalists, NGOs, and bloggers. It helps citizens to hold legislators accountable. MAPLight.org s findings make complex research publicly available in an instant and show that public scrutiny can be also visually appealing, easy-to-use and customizable.

 

Clip Syndicate Video: AP Entertainment

President Barack Obama is going to help TV's 'America's Most Wanted' mark the milestone broadcast of its 1,000th episode.

John Walsh speaks with President Obama (03-06-2010) about funding the Adam Walsh Act

QandA May 25th – response to question on Ryan Commission Report

A question is asked about the Ryan Commission report on child abuse within institutions run by the religious orders in Ireland. After the panel had spoken the questioner responded and his response...well see for yourself.

Just a note, but my apologies for the ragged nature of the end of the piece. Editing wasn't very good with the late hour. You can read a transcript here.

http://willknott.ie/2009/05/26/michae...

 

Alaska due for major quake

With deadly earthquakes hitting around the world, many are wondering if another major quake could hit Alaska. It might not be a question of if a massive quake strikes, but when.

 

Gay Dutch soldiers responsible for Srebrenica massacre says US general

The Dutch government condemned the comments by Gen John Sheehan, a former Nato commander and senior marine officer, as outrageous.

Gen Sheehan made the remarks at a Senate hearing where he argued against plans by President Barack Obama to end a ban on allowing gays to serve openly in the US military.

Gen Sheehan said that after the end of the Cold War, European militaries changed and concluded "there was no longer a need for an active combat capability."

He said this process included "open homosexuality" which resulted in "a focus on peacekeeping operations because they did not believe the Germans were going to attack again or the Soviets were coming back."