It all seems so simple

It all seems simple in last night's (FRI) "Real Time With Bill Maher." Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, MSNBC Washington Correspondent Norah O'Donnell, and Seth MacFarlane talked through issues in a common sense way, if this were only Camelot.

Wrong for the Right Whales

As one of the lead attorneys on Earthjustice's court case to protect the North Atlantic right whales, I want to underscore the urgency of the situation facing these critically endangered creatures.

If the Navy moves forward on its scientifically flawed plan to build a warfare training range next to the whales' only known calving grounds, the whales could soon be extinct.

We have an opportunity to help the Navy make the right decision and enact a plan that can help protect our nation ... without sacrificing the wildlife that help make this country so special.

I hope you'll take a moment to read Trip's message below about our case and give what you can to help us protect the right whales.

Steve Roady
Attorney, Washington, D.C., Office
Earthjustice

Endangered right whales in peril Donate today to help us save them! Dear Roger, Since I last wrote about the plight of the critically endangered right whales, Earthjustice attorneys are in federal court to challenge a government plan that could spell disaster for the whales ... but we need your support to see us through this court case. Please support our court case to save the right whales. The U.S. Navy plans to build an Undersea Warfare Training Range next to the only known right whale calving grounds in the world -- potentially pushing this critically endangered species over the brink toward extinction. Our attorneys have gone to court to ensure that the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Navy implement meaningful safeguards to protect right whales and other endangered species before beginning training, but their success depends on your support. Help us save the whales. Make an emergency contribution today. The Navy's planned warfare training range would force the whales to run a deadly gauntlet of criss-crossing ships and submarines simply to reproduce. NOAA has consistently identified ship strikes as one of the gravest threats to the right whale, yet it is allowing the Navy to bring this threat directly into the critical calving habitat. Our legal team in Washington, D.C. -- representing several environmental organizations, including the Florida Wildlife Federation, the Animal Welfare Institute, and the Ocean Mammal Institute, free of charge -- is leading the court battle to protect these majestic creatures. In times of need, these groups turn to us ... and so we turn to you. Please donate now to help us save the right whales. With fewer than 400 right whales remaining, these majestic creatures already face enough challenges to their survival. In fact, the National Marine Fisheries Service has said that the "loss of even a single individual right whale may contribute to the extinction of the species." Please support our court case to protect endangered right whales with an emergency contribution today. With your help, we will use the power of the courts to ensure that the Navy plans adhere to the science and the law, and enact meaningful safeguards to protect this critically endangered species. Please make a gift today to help us protect the right whales from extinction. Thank you for all that you do to stand up for wildlife. Sincerely, Trip Van Noppen President, Earthjustice P.S. Our success in court could be mean difference between the survival and extinction of endangered right whales. Please help us save the right whales with a gift today.

Ahhh, South Carolina

We need "Question Time"!

Bill Maher calls 'em like he sees 'em. And he is spot on.

Teapublicans and their known associates are simply the best shills for corporations that money can buy. And now that the Supreme Court has been packed with right wing ideologues they've opened the floodgates to even more corporate money, hell even foreign corporations can legally buy politicians. Check out Bill Maher's interview with Anderson Cooper.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/17/bill-maher-corporatist-ev_n_465073.html

Save the children

Liner Notes - Yeasayer - Odd Blood

In this song Yeasayer seems to be channeling Perter Gabriel. I say that as an endorsement not as a criticism for being derivative. The album isn't easily accessible so it may take a couple of listenings before you get it, it finally clicked with me when I wasn't actively listening. Try not to judge the album by one song, even this one.  B