The wildland next door

I'm fortunate to have such places within walking distance of my home in Vermont. Not too many years ago, the "wild place" down the street aways was Llittle Nescopeck Creek, a Chesapeake Bay tributary killed eons ago now by acid mine drainage.

Forever Wild in NY's Adirondack Park? May be, but . . .

This is a lengthy op-ed but a good read that punctures the whole of a proposed amendment to the New York Constitution helping a private concern (a mining company) at the public's expense (the Forever Wild law). Protect the Adirondacks! is one the mark with its case against the terrible precedent this amendment would create. Read about it here. I can think of many, many case studies that say no to this kind of land-abusing "resource" happy mining: The anthracite coal region of northeastern Pa., the Berkeley Pit copper mine at Anaconda, Mont., phosphate mines in southeastern Idaho, and more.

Sanford's victory gives new hope to political liars

And that's a broad sweep, as it seems nearly impossible these days to find a politician, especially among those on the national level, who is not a cheater, liar and sleaze bucket. Here's some delicious satire on Mark Sanford.

Idaho, Mont. urge no federal protection for Wolverine

This is predictable grandstanding from these two states. I remain embarrassed, at times, to admit to having Idaho as my home state.

NRA boss nan warns of rising cost of buyiung U.S. senators

More biting satire here from Andy Borowitz. And the photo of Wayne LaPierre is a stunner, big mouth and all. Jeez.

The rise of the tick

I am almost scared to go into the woods anymore, even here in northern Vermont. I remember coming home to Pennsylvania from a birding/botanizing trip to national wildlife refuges on Delmarva (mid 90s) and eventually finding two ticks embedded in my waist. That required a quick trip to the ER. Read about the threat.

Study finds north-central U.S. a big crude oil region

So, let's crap it up with drill rigs, roads, tankers, sprawl housing, noise pollution, oil spills, toxic waste dumps, etc. And, now is the time! Here's reporting on the untapped petroleum bonanza.