Science on the Down Low

By Jeff Simpson

In what should NOT be a story:

On Wednesday Rep. Jeffrey Mursau, R-Crivitz, the chair of the Assembly Committee on Environment and Forestry, will co-host a forum with the panel's ranking Democrat, Rep. Fred Clark, D-Baraboo, on the effects of climate change in Wisconsin.

When Rep. Mursau and Rep. Fred Clark decided to get together and have a discussion on the effects of climate change, it seemed innocent enough.

The forum will include testimony from a number of experts, including two UW-Madison climate scientists — Dan Vimont and Galen McKinley — and other environmental experts, such as Michelle Miller, associate director of the UW Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, and David Liebel, a UW engineering professor who specializes in storm water systems.
"Our goal on this thing is to open the conversation with our colleagues about climate change," says Clark.

 In Fitzwalkerstan though, common sense and logic are so 2009.   It seems that having a discussion about climate change and including actual scientists and experts in the discussion is something that is inexcusable.

The right wing noise machine went ballistic, from the racist Brian Sikma to the  racist, sexist, boring Jerry Bader to the shrill, hateful Vicki Mckenna.  All are having a three year old temper tantrum thinking that people might actually learn something during a bipartisan gathering.  

In today;s republican party, open minds, compromise and bipartisanship are unwelcome and will be punished!     As prominent as the hate and ignorance is amongst the base and the right wing echo chamber on the right, a lack of backbone is just as prominent in the elected official class. 

It is this type of controversy that Clark said he is trying to avoid by keeping the forum, which is not an official committee hearing, off-limits to media and the public.
"Unfortunately some of these extreme tea party groups are really threatening a lot of legislators who might even have an interest in coming to learn about this issue," he said. "This is a briefing for legislators. We want to dial down the expectations or the grandstanding as much as possible."

 How sad that when our Legislature is finally discussing one of the most important topics facing mankind, they are forced to do it behind closed doors in private. When people in Wisconsin have an actual opportunity to learn something important and our legislature has a chance to show real leadership, they have to do it on the downlow! 

I guess we are relegated to pushing women around and cronies cashing out with taxpayer money as long as Scott Walker and the republicans are in charge of WI! 

 

Global Climate Change

By Jeff Simpson

Is finally being made a priority.  Let's hope it is not too late!

"But for the sake of our children and our future, we must do more to combat climate change. Yes, it’s true that no single event makes a trend. But the fact is, the 12 hottest years on record have all come in the last 15. Heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and floods – all are now more frequent and intense. We can choose to believe that Superstorm Sandy, and the most severe drought in decades, and the worst wildfires some states have ever seen were all just a freak coincidence. Or we can choose to believe in the overwhelming judgment of science – and act before it’s too late." - President Obama

Mitt's Right Wing Baggage

Bill Maher nails it here, with what Mitt would bring to Washington!

Republican Blind-Sided By Science!

Ron Johnson isn't the only idiotic Republican in Washington, D.C.

Check out this video of Representative Joe Barton, of Texas, squarely place himself on the idiot list:



Unfortunately, the video cut off just before Ron Johnson jumped up and yelled, "Sunspots!"

H/T digby

Keep Creationism Away From the Children!

Get these guys to West Bend Pronto!

Excuse Me, There's A Bioptic Food Sensor In My Salad

Scientists have developed a bioptic sensor to detect spoilage in food, without the expense and complexity of using standard electronic sensors:

In the study, they describe development of a polymer material that raises a red flag, changing color in the presence biogenic amines, compounds produced by the bacterial decay of food proteins. In laboratory tests, the polymer identified and distinguished between 22 different kinds of key food-spoilage amines with 97 percent accuracy.

Researchers also used the polymer to check the freshness of a tuna by detecting the amount of amines present in the sample. "The sensitivity of the described assay is better than the typical mammalian sense of smell and is able to detect this nonvolatile amine at hazardous levels before the fish would begin to smell rancid," the report states. The approach also shows promise for detecting spoilage in other food types, it adds.

I first read about this in today's copy of the Waupaca County Post. They had an article that went into more depth (sorry, no link). According to the article, they have developed a biosilk film from the fibers in silkworms to detect food spoilage and the presence of bacteria like E. Coli. The sensors are supposed to be edible and totally biodegradable.

Overall, it sounds like a ecofriendly and relatively inexpensive way to make sure that your food is fresh and safe to eat. However, I would have to admit getting used to the idea of eating caterpillar spit.