Rand Paul Plays It Safe in His RNC Speech

Posted on by

Under pressure to show loyalty to his party and to critique its heresies against libertarianism, he does a lot of the former, not much of the latter.

YouTube

At the same time, his libertarian supporters, another key to his political future, are forever wary of being betrayed by a sellout, and uninclined to lend their time and money for someone who isn't delivering. Basically, Senator Paul has to retain a lot of supporters accustomed to the uncompromising purity and outspokenness of his father (the subject of a tribute video at the RNC extolling his refusal to compromise), but without being quite so pure, uncompromising or outspoken.

Needing to please his party on the one hand, and his core supporters on the other, Sen. Paul erred on the side of pleasing the party Wednesday with an on message speech. He attacked President Obama for his "You didn't build that" comment, in keeping with the GOP's major theme. He focused on subjects of agreement between libertarians and establishment Republicans.

And he eschewed opportunities to chide fellow Republicans. In the beginning of his speech, for example, he invoked James Madison and the notion of enumerated powers, as if Mitt Romney and many other Republicans are reliable champions of a severely limited federal government. And though Paul used inspirational immigrant stories to extol the American Dream, specifically invoking Vietnamese boat people, he didn't advocate for allowing more immigrants to come here legally.

He did nod to his supporters later in the speech, however subtly.

"Republicans and Democrats alike must slay their sacred cows," he stated. "Republicans must acknowledge that not every dollar spent on the military is necessary or well-spent, and Democrats must admit that domestic welfare and entitlements must be reformed." I'm glad he included that line. But asking Republicans to acknowledge that a little bit of military spending is wasted isn't enough. Sen. Paul himself favors deeper cuts to military spending than his speech suggests.

"Republicans and Democrats must replace fear with confidence, confidence that no terrorist, and no country, will ever conquer us if we remain steadfast to the principles of our Founding documents," Sen. Paul said. Were delegates in the hall aware that the GOP hasn't remained steadfast to those documents, and that Mitt Romney's avowed policies are deeply at odds with them?

If not Senator Paul didn't give them any hint.

Read more here:

Rand Paul Plays It Safe in His RNC Speech

Ron Paul finally gets his moment at the Republican Convention

Posted on by

Rep. Ron Paul did not get a speaking slot at the GOP convention. But a video paid tribute to him,and his son Sen. Rand Paul let Republicans know that his fathers brand of libertarianism remains a force within the party.

It wasnt billed as such, but Ron Pauls moment at the Republican Convention Wednesday evening marked the effective end of a long and remarkable political career as the libertarian gadfly within the GOP.

Subscribe Today to the Monitor

Click Here for your FREE 30 DAYS of The Christian Science Monitor Weekly Digital Edition

He gave no scheduled speech here; he had refused to let the Romney campaign pre-approve any comments he might have made. And his supporters fought hard and very vocally to the end unsuccessfully, as it turned out against the Republican Partys last-minute efforts to restrict the number and voice of future insurgents, obviously referencing the 177 delegates Mr. Paul had won in the partys presidential caucuses and primaries and were pushing to have his name at least entered into nomination before the roll call vote.

But it does the Republican Party and Mitt Romneys presidential campaign no good to alienate an active and unique slice of conservatism one with considerable overlap with the tea party movement.

Are you a true Ron Paul supporter? Take our quiz!

So early Wednesday evening (before prime-time convention broadcasts), US Rep. Paul received a video tribute to his career. And in a speech a few minutes later, his son US Sen. Rand Paul let Republicans know that his fathers brand of libertarianism remains a force within the party.

In comments from a range of politicians at least one of whom confessed that at first he thought Ron Paul was crazy the 12-term Texas congressman was lauded as one who never wavered, never backed down.

I used to tell new members that they could make a difference or they could make a point, said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. Ron Paul is the only one whos made a difference by making a point.

View original post here:

Ron Paul finally gets his moment at the Republican Convention

Libertarian candidate fights to get on Iowa ballot

Posted on by

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson will be on the Iowa ballot in November.

Republican Secretary of State Matt Schultz, Democratic Attorney General Tom Miller, and Warren Jenkins, the chief deputy for Republican Auditor David Vaudt say Iowa's law on holding conventions to get on the ballot is vague and they chose to err on the side of open ballot access.

Johnson's candidacy was challenged last week by two Iowa voters. Jay Kramer, who works for Republican Mitt Romney's campaign, signed the documents as a witness.

Libertarians say they held a convention at the Iowa State Fair to get Johnson, a former Republican, onto Iowa's ballot.

The challenge says Libertarians didn't hold a real convention.

The panel says it will ask lawmakers to better define the convention process in state law.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Here is the original post:

Libertarian candidate fights to get on Iowa ballot

FOR PRESIDENT: Panel Decides If Libertarian Will Be On Ballot

Posted on by

Posted on: 6:41 pm, August 29, 2012, by Staff Writer, updated on: 06:47pm, August 29, 2012

Republican turned libertarian Gary Johnson will be on Iowa ballots in November.

Thats the finding of a panel of state officials Wednesday.

Iowa law requires a candidate either be nominated at a convention or submit a petition with 1500 signatures to be considered a presidential candidate on an Iowa ballot.

Iowa libertarians claim they held a convention to nominate the former New Mexico governor at the Iowa State Fair this year, but that claim was challenged.

Wednesday, a panel including Matt Schultz and Tom Miller ruled in favor of Johnson.

They say Iowa laws are vague when it comes to defining a convention, and they prefer to err on the side of open elections.

Read more here:

FOR PRESIDENT: Panel Decides If Libertarian Will Be On Ballot

Libertarian Candidate Allowed on Iowa Ballot

Posted on by

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson will be on the Iowa ballot in November.

Republican Secretary of State Matt Schultz, Democratic Attorney General Tom Miller, and Warren Jenkins, the chief deputy for Republican Auditor David Vaudt say Iowa's law on holding conventions to get on the ballot is vague and they chose to err on the side of open ballot access.

Johnson's candidacy was challenged last week by two Iowa voters. Jay Kramer, who works for Republican Mitt Romney's campaign, signed the documents as a witness.

Libertarians say they held a convention at the Iowa State Fair to get Johnson, a former Republican, onto Iowa's ballot.

The challenge says Libertarians didn't hold a real convention.

The panel says it will ask lawmakers to better define the convention process in state law.

Go here to read the rest:

Libertarian Candidate Allowed on Iowa Ballot

Libertarian VP hopeful visits UNC

Posted on by

In a speech Tuesday, Jim Gray, a Libertarian vice-presidential candidate, said the time has come for a third party to occupy the White House.

Gray, who spoke to about 15 attendees in the Student Union, is the running mate of presidential candidate Gary Johnson.

He said a Libertarian presidency would achieve two things: decrease the federal governments control, and restore civil liberties.

We are in the mainstream of American political thought today, Gray said. We are both financially responsible and socially tolerant. And were the only ones that are.

Grays speech focused almost exclusively on drug policy reform.

A longtime advocate of decriminalizing narcotics, Gray, who served as a superior court judge in Orange Country, Calif., has worked in his home state and across the country to end the war on drugs.

Gray said he would like to see drugs regulated like wine is now legal to produce and consume on private property, taxed when sold, and prohibited from sale to minors.

Current policy has only succeeded in creating a black market for drugs that benefits select groups, including drug dealers, juvenile gangs and private-sector industries that make money off of increased crime rates, Gray said.

You cannot repeal the law of supply and demand, he said, adding that people will find a way to obtain drugs whether they are legal or not.

Gray points to programs in other countries, such as Germany and Switzerland, that focus on reducing the harm caused by drugs by treating drug use as a medical problem.

Originally posted here:

Libertarian VP hopeful visits UNC

Cook Islands creates words biggest marine park

Posted on by

(08-29 14:08)

The Cook Islands announced the creation of world's largest marine park at the opening of the Pacific Islands Forum today, a vast swathe of ocean almost twice the size of France, AFP reports. Prime Minister Henry Puna said the 1.065 million square kilometer reserve [is] the largest area in history by a single country for integrated ocean conservation and management''. Puna said protecting the Pacific, one of the last pristine marine eco-systems, was the Cooks' major contribution to the wellbeing of not only our peoples, but also of humanity''. The marine park will provide the necessary framework to promote sustainable development by balancing economic growth interests such as tourism, fishing and deep sea mining with conserving core biodiversity in the ocean,'' he said. The new Cook Islands protected zone will be the largest single marine park in the world, taking in the entire southern half of the nation's waters. The nation's 15 islands have a combined landmass barely larger than Washington DC but its waters include environmentally valuable coral reefs, seagrass beds and fisheries.

See the rest here:

Cook Islands creates words biggest marine park

2 Connecticut Private Islands for Sale

Posted on by

Aug 29, 2012 3:10pm

Who hasnt dreamed of owning a private island? If youve got a few million to spend, theres not one, but two islands for sale off the Connecticut coast.

Belden Island is listed for $3.95 million and Jepson Island for nearly $2 million, according to the William Pitt Sothebys web site, which is handling the sale.

The less expensive of the two features just over 1,000 square feet of interior living space in a contemporary-style house. The island itself is about a third of an acre. The description reads: Jepson Island offers a charming contemporary vacation home with natural materials, walls of glass and incomparable vistas. Stone steps to beach, dock and mooring.

William Pitt Sotheby''s International Realty/Shoreline Aerial Photography/AP

The colonial-style house on Belden Island is about twice the square footage ofJepson and the island itself a little more than an acre in size. Extraordinary vintage classic offers original wainscoted walls and ceilings, gas lights, fireplaces and wrap around porches overlooking manicured putting green lawn, windswept pines and new dock, the listing reads.

William Pitt Sotheby''s International Realty/Shoreline Aerial Photography/AP

It has a very original, beautifully preserved 1912 summer house, which is 100 years old this year, with gas lighting and water from the mainland but no electricity. It has all the original bead board and wainscoting, its own little private beach, stone steps cut out of stony creek granite, saidMargaret Muir, a real estate agent handling the listings for William Pitt Sothebys International Realty.

The houses are seasonal and rely on gas lights and solar power. Both are owned byChristine Svenningsen, the widow of a party-goods magnate,said Muir.

Shes been a preservationist, and treated these with great care. She restored them and beautified them, Muir said about Svenningsen.

Link:

2 Connecticut Private Islands for Sale

Cook Islands declares largest marine park

Posted on by

29 August 2012 | last updated at 02:06PM

Prime Minister Henry Puna said the 1.065 million square kilometre (411,000 square mile) reserve (is) the largest area in history by a single country for integrated ocean conservation and management. Puna said protecting the Pacific, one of the last pristine marine eco-systems, was the Cooks major contribution to the wellbeing of not only our peoples, but also of humanity. The marine park will provide the necessary framework to promote sustainable development by balancing economic growth interests such as tourism, fishing and deep sea mining with conserving core biodiversity in the ocean, he said.

Australia announced in June that it was creating a network of marine parks covering 3.1 million square kilometres, more than a third of its territorial waters. However, they are dotted around its huge coastline.

The new Cook Islands protected zone will be the largest single marine park in the world, taking in the entire southern half of the nations waters.

The nations 15 islands have a combined landmass barely larger than Washington DC but its waters include environmentally valuable coral reefs, seagrass beds and fisheries. - AFP

Originally posted here:

Cook Islands declares largest marine park

43rd Pacific Islands Forum opens in the Cook Islands

Posted on by

Latest Press Statement 29 August 2012

43rd Pacific Islands Forum opens in the Cook Islands

PRESS RELEASE (106/12) 28th August 2012

Cook Islands Prime Minister and new Forum Chair, Hon. Henry Puna (left) sings

to welcome Forum Leaders to the 43rd PIF

Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 28/08/12 The 43rd Pacific Islands Forum has officially opened in the Cook Islands capital Rarotonga with Forum Leaders being carried to the entrance of the National Auditorium, where the ceremony was held, on a Paata ( a traditional platform) accompanied by their adopted schools.

There were traditional challenges along the way to the Auditorium with the beating of drums and chants. There were more tamure dancing with the new Chair of the Forum and Cook Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Henry Puna singing a song to welcome his Pacific colleagues to his country. Forum Leaders and their delegations together with the local community then joined together in a large feast.

Included are parts of the address by the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade at the opening ceremony.

The Forum at 40 pressing forward

Excerpt from:

43rd Pacific Islands Forum opens in the Cook Islands

2 islands off Conn. coast put up for sale – Boston.com

Posted on by

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) A woman who amassed a collection of small islands off the Connecticut coast is selling two of them.

Christine Svenningsen, a widow of a party-goods magnate, is selling Belden Island for $3.95 million and Jepson Island for nearly $2 million, her real estate agents said. They are part of the Thimble Islands off Branford, which have attracted celebrities and the wealthy for generations.

For anybody looking for privacy its got great appeal yet its very close to the mainland, said Clint Rodenberg, an agent at William Pitt Sothebys in Madison, where listing agents Margaret Muir and Tony Nuzzo are handling the sale.

Svenningsen, an artist who has restored many of the properties, spent around $33 million to buy about 10 islands in Long Island Sound.

Theyre like little pieces of art. I get to put my brush to them, Svenningsen said in 2006.

She does not plan to sell the other islands she owns, Rodenberg said.

Shes looking for someone who will respect them and enjoy them as much as she does, Rodenberg said. Shes simplifying her life somewhat.

The houses are seasonal and rely on gas lights and solar power, Rodenberg said.

Jepson Island is a little over one-quarter of an acre and has a 1,100-square-foot house with a wraparound deck. Belden is slightly over an acre and has a 1912 colonial with about 2,100 square feet and clam beds.

Of the hundreds of Thimble Islands, about 25 are considered habitable. Tour boats have taken sightseers among the islands for generations, while treasure hunters have combed them for Captain Kidds buried riches.

Read more from the original source:

2 islands off Conn. coast put up for sale - Boston.com

Much Ado About Romney Fundraising Yacht's Cayman Islands Flag

Posted on by

The irony of the ABC News report that Mitt Romney's campaign held a Tampa fundraiser on a Cayman Islands-flagged yacht was absolutely delicious, but it couldn't be that simple. Shortly after ABC News showed a screenshot of the yacht with what looked like a Cayman flag in a Web report accompanying a broadcast by Brian Ross, the conservative Washington Free Beacon joined ABC's commenters in ...

Go here to see the original:

Much Ado About Romney Fundraising Yacht's Cayman Islands Flag

More Utahns are uninsured, despite increased efforts for access

Posted on by

SALT LAKE CITY The number of Utah's uninsured continues to grow, despite state and national efforts to improve access to health care.

Of the 377,700 Utahns who went without insurance in 2011, 69,600 are children, according to Utah Department of Health data. Approximately 56,500 of those kids are eligible for the taxpayer-funded Children's Health Insurance Plan but continue to go without coverage.

"It is frustrating to know that there are that many kids who are sitting out there uninsured when they are eligible for a program that would provide them with an important service," said health department spokesman Tom Hudachko.

Lawmakers removed CHIP's enrollment caps during the 2008 Legislature, and the state was making progress on the number of uninsured children until now. Children eligible for the program must live in homes where the income is below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.

Hudachko said the latest numbers, however, aren't a good indicator of reality.

The method by which the 2011 data was gathered changed somewhat from previous years, including for the first time both land-line and cell phone respondent data, as well as a different way of tabulating results to more accurately represent Utah's population.

The new numbers, derived from the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey, provide little more than a baseline indicator for state health officials moving forward, Hudachko said.

The survey also provides better and more reliable data on a number of other health issues, he said, and that's important when state officials are vying for funding each year.

In addition to a growing number of uninsured children, the population of young adults continues to have the lowest rate of insurance coverage than any other group. Of those ages 19 to 26, 23.6 percent were uninsured in 2011, and 24.1 percent of Utahns in the 27 to 34 age group went without health care benefits, according to the health department data.

In addition to access, cost appears to be is a concern for Utahns, as more than 26 percent of part-time employed individuals claim to be uninsured. About half that are uninsured among full-time employees throughout the state. The rate for self-employed individuals is also high, as nearly 30 percent are without insurance, the data states.

Read the original post:

More Utahns are uninsured, despite increased efforts for access

Doctors outline what must be done

Posted on by

In May 2012, the ontario government launched an attack on health care in our province.

Without consultation or negotiation, they reduced and clawed back previously agreed physician fees. They have decided that the global health care budget will be reduced significantly going forward, even as the population grows and ages. The reduced health care budget will bring the province of Ontario into crisis. It is, we believe, irresponsible for the government to act as they are. In fact, such sweeping changes will result in lives threatened and lives lost because the government is far more eager to point fingers rather than own responsibility and accept accountability.

Physicians have offered countless times, through the Ontario Medical Association, to work with the government to find solutions to global health cost issues.

As a group of physicians, we feel compelled to speak out, and attempt to have those who read this understand that the government is short sighted and acting dangerously.

We must do all we can to continue to offer quality health care to our patients.

We must do all we can to expose and oppose the government cuts to health care that will harm the health of our patients.

We must try and keep our staff employed. We have an obligation to treat them with respect and dignity. We recognize their continued contribution will allow us to go on providing quality health care to those we care for.

We must try to kep our office hours from being reduced because of government cuts.

We must try and keep family medicine alive. Having a relationship with a family physician is essential for good care and good health.

We must try to stay working in the same community that we are committed to. We recognize that under the suggested government cutbacks, it will be much easier to work in clinics, where we are less familiar to the patients and where they are less familiar to us.

Here is the original post:

Doctors outline what must be done

Henry Schein Cares Disaster Relief Hotline is Active and Ready to Support Customers Affected by Hurricane Isaac

Posted on by

MELVILLE, N.Y., Aug. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein, Inc. (HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners, announced today that the Henry Schein Cares disaster relief hotline is active and ready to support customers who may be affected by Hurricane Isaac. The toll-free number for all customers 800-999-9729 is operational from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST. The Henry Schein Cares disaster relief hotline is open year-round for dentists, physicians, and veterinarians who experience operational, logistical, or financial issues as a result of natural disasters. Henry Schein Cares is the corporate social responsibility program of Henry Schein, Inc.

"As Hurricane Isaac bears down on the Gulf Coast, we want to remind our customers in the affected region that the Henry Schein Cares disaster relief hotline is open and available to help with issues related to the severe weather," said James P. Breslawski, President and Chief Operating Officer, Henry Schein, Inc. "Our disaster relief hotline is part of our deep commitment to partner with our customers, and provide a source of assistance for helping to restore their affected practices as quickly as possible."

In addition to its disaster relief hotline, through the Henry Schein Cares global product donation program, health care supplies are provided to its non-governmental organization (NGO) partners in advance of disasters, so that the product is ready for use immediately. Henry Schein Cares will also stand ready to work with its NGO partners if additional supplies are needed.

About Henry Schein Cares and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation

Henry Schein Cares, Henry Schein's global corporate social responsibility program, stands on four pillars: engaging Team Schein Members to reach their potential, ensuring accountability by extending ethical business practices to all levels within Henry Schein, promoting environmental sustainability, and expanding access to health care for underserved and at-risk communities around the world.

Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services, and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief. Firmly rooted in a deep commitment to social responsibility and the concept of enlightened self-interest championed by Benjamin Franklin, the philosophy behind Henry Schein Cares is a vision of "doing well by doing good." Through the work of Henry Schein Cares to enhance access to care for those in need, the Company believes that it is furthering its long-term success.

Established in 2008, Henry Schein Cares Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, works to foster, support, and promote dental, medical, and animal health by helping to increase access to care for communities around the world. The Henry Schein Cares Foundation carries out its mission through financial and health care product donations that support health care professionals and community-based programs focused on prevention, wellness, and treatment; disaster preparedness and relief; and capacity building of health institutions that provide training and care. To learn more about the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, please visit: http://www.hscaresfoundation.org. The "Helping Health Happen Blog" is a platform for health care professionals to share their volunteer experiences delivering assistance to those in need globally. To read more about how Henry Schein Cares is making a difference, please visit our blog: http://helpinghealthhappen.org/.

About Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein, Inc. (HSIC) is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners. The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites. A Fortune 500 Company and a member of the NASDAQ 100 Index, Henry Schein employs nearly 15,000 Team Schein Members and serves approximately 775,000 customers.

The Company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care. Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 100,000 additional products available as special-order items. The Company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services.

The rest is here:

Henry Schein Cares Disaster Relief Hotline is Active and Ready to Support Customers Affected by Hurricane Isaac

Biomass characterization technology research highlighted in Industrial Biotechnology journal

Posted on by

Public release date: 29-Aug-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Vicki Cohn vcohn@liebertpub.com 914-740-2100 x2156 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News

New Rochelle, NY, August 29, 2012--Biomass recalcitrance--the problem of how to break down complex plant-based cellulosic feedstock into sugars that can be fermented to produce sustainable biofuels and other renewable biobased productscan be overcome through improved methods of biomass characterization. IB IN-DEPTH, a collection of articles from leading research laboratories describing advanced tools and techniques for analyzing the chemistry, structure, and interaction of biomass components, is published in Industrial Biotechnology, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. The articles are available free online at the Industrial Biotechnology website.

The future capability to commercialize large-scale, economical, plant-based biofuels and bioproducts depends on the development of efficient and effective strategies to break down lignocellulosic biomass and to release the carbohydrates that can then be converted into these valuable end-products. Substantial progress is being made in solving the problems of biomass recalcitrance, and Guest Editor Brian Davison, PhD, Chief Scientist for Systems Biology and Biotechnology at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, and Science Coordinator for the BioEnergy Science Center of the Department of Energy's Office of Biological and Environmental Research, and a member of the Editorial Board of Industrial Biotechnology, gathered leading researchers to share their work and perspectives.

The special research section includes two Reviews: "Biomass Characterization: Recent Progress in Understanding Biomass Recalcitrance" by Marcus Foston and Arthur Ragauskas, BioEnergy Science Center, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Institute of Paper Science and Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA; and "Neutron Technologies for Bioenergy Research" by Paul Langan and colleagues, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Georgia Institute of Technology. Also featured are Short Communications and Methods articles that present new or improved methods of biomass characterization, including strategies based on biomass accessibility to enzymes, glycomics, polysaccharide changes in plant cell walls, improvements to the Simon's stain technique, an updated method of mechanical stress testing, and a modification of atomic force microscopy.

"Much thanks to Dr. Brian Davison for pulling together this special issue of Industrial Biotechnology," says Larry Walker, PhD, Co-Editor-in-Chief and Professor, Biological & Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. "The development of methods and approaches for characterizing biomass materials is an important step in driving biotechnology development from plant engineering to subsequent conversion to biofuels and bioproducts."

###

About the Journal

Industrial Biotechnology, led by Co-Editors-in-Chief Larry Walker, PhD, and Glenn Nedwin, PhD, MBA, is an authoritative journal focused on biobased industrial and environmental products and processes, published bimonthly in print and online. The Journal reports on the science, business, and policy developments of the emerging global bioeconomy, including biobased production of energy and fuels, chemicals, materials, and consumer goods. The articles published include critically reviewed original research in all related sciences (biology, biochemistry, chemical and process engineering, agriculture), in addition to expert commentary on current policy, funding, markets, business, legal issues, and science trends. Industrial Biotechnology offers the premier forum bridging basic research and R&D with later-stage commercialization for sustainable biobased industrial and environmental applications.

About the Publisher

See the rest here:

Biomass characterization technology research highlighted in Industrial Biotechnology journal

Mesa residents can help shape future of city

Posted on by

by Gary Nelson - Aug. 28, 2012 10:32 PM The Republic | azcentral.com

The last time Mesa embarked on a large-scale civic-planning effort, light rail was just a glimmer in some futurist's eye. The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport was a struggling former air base. And the city's northwest corner was a vast swath of farm fields.

Now it's time to make another run at a long-term plan for the state's third-largest city, and Mesa wants to give every resident a chance to buy into the vision.

City officials hope that much of the input will happen via the online infrastructure the city already established for its iMesa community-visioning program, which helped shape the $70 million park bond issue that city voters will consider in November.

John Wesley, Mesa's planning director, told the City Council this week that state law requires a General Plan update every 10 years. That was pushed back a couple of years when the Legislature, in a bow to the financial problems that cities faced during the recession, extended the deadline.

So Mesa is just cranking up a process that in normal times would be nearly finished. The upside is that the ideas for what Mesa will look like in the future will extend to 2040.

That quarter-century-plus is likely to bring vast changes, just as in 2002 when few could foresee the transformation that light rail would bring to Mesa's downtown or the emergence of Gateway as a booming passenger hub or the ongoing makeover of Mesa's northwest corner into a shopping and sports mecca.

Those occurrences have required some legal tweaking of what Mesa laid out in its 2002 General Plan, and whatever is crafted in the next go-around also will have to change over time.

But the goal is for the citizens of 2012 to lay out some ideas that today's newborns will inherit by the time they're starting families of their own.

Wesley said the idea this time is to update what was done in 2002, rather than write a whole new plan from scratch.

More here:

Mesa residents can help shape future of city

Agricultural Futurist Jack Uldrich to Keynote Four Events in the Coming Months

Posted on by

Noted keynote speaker, global futurist and best-selling author, Jack Uldrich, has been selected to deliver keynote addresses on future trends in agriculture to the following organizations in the coming months: Land O'Lakes Cooperatives, The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, Ag Spectrum and Mushroom Canada.Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) August 29, 2012 Noted keynote speaker, global futurist and ...

Here is the original post:

Agricultural Futurist Jack Uldrich to Keynote Four Events in the Coming Months