A Shiny New Green Car

You already have nutritional information on food boxes, and disclaimers on drug advertisements. What about emission information on auto ads? The Guardian reports that a European Union proposal could force car advertisements there to indicate how much pollution a car creates. The committee, “is believed to be considering a ‘traffic lights’ system whereby red dots or stars would mark out high-emission cars, and green ones low-pollution ones. An alternative may be an alphabetical system of A-G grades for pollution levels.”

Newspaper and magazine publishers and television producers aren’t happy with the plan. What about you?

Headlines For 12-13-07

Central banks in North America and Europe team up to hold off a recession as a result of the worsening global credit crisis. New York Times

No surprise here: The U.S. rejected guidelines at the Bali Climate Conference intended to cut greenhouse gases. (London) Times

U.S. track star Marion Jones has been stripped of her five Sydney 2000 Olympic Medals. AP/(Melbourne) Age

Headlines For 12-6-07

Interest rates will freeze for some homeowners who took out a sub-prime mortgage and are now near forclosure. Washington Post

The U.S. Supreme Court reviews whether detainees at Guantanamo Bay are being held there lawfully? USA Today

At the Climate Change Conference in Bali, participants are focusing on the nearly half of the 36 signatory nations to the Kyoto agreement who are failing to meet their targets for the treaty. Reuters

Headlines

Opposition and violence in the Middle East as the Palestinian and Israeli leaders talk peace with Bush in Annapolis. (London) Times

If you like the quality and prices of Verizon Wireless offers, but don’t like their phones, you’re in luck. They’re going to open their network. New York Times

Google will invest millions to develop renewable energy. San Francisco Chronicle

Scoot Free

After being convicted of lying to federal prosecutors, former Cheney chief-of-staff Scooter Libby’s 30-month jail sentence is commuted by President Bush. The Prez says Scooter’s prison sentence was “excessive.” Here’s the statement: AP/Washington Post Excessive??? Thirty months is consistent with other “excessive” sentences Bush and the Justice Department have pushed for in similar crimes. New York Times There’s hypocrisy on all sides of this. AP/MSNBC

Pakistani security forces warn of a “last chance” for students at the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad where 24 people have already died in clashes there. CNN What is so controversial about this mosque? BBC

Seven of the eight people arrested in connection with the London and Glasgow bombings are doctors. Newsweek

What’s in it for Hamas to secure the release of the BBC journalist? Time

Here’s an new way to protest land clearing laws: Cut down trees. (London) Times

Book your tickets. The Winter Olympics will be in Russia in 2014. Reuters With murder, carjackings and home robberies on the rise in South Africa, will the country be ready to host the World Cup in 2010? Guardian

Watch the concert. Save the planet. That’s what Al Gore and the organizers of Live Earth are hoping for. USA Today

Were you smart enough not to do any of these things with fireworks at your 4th of July BBQ?

Left The Party

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is no longer a Republican. New York Times The election is 17 months(!) away and he’s not even running yet, but everyone is asking if Bloomberg could win the White House. Time

Now that Hamas and everyone else living in Gaza is isolated, what is life like for Palestinians there? MSNBC (video)

“Toys made in China make up 70 to 80 percent of the toys sold,” in the United States. This is troubling since Chinese products are “responsible for about 60 percent of all product recalls” in the U.S. New York Times China has become the world’s #1 CO2 emitter. Guardian

Looking for terrorists and protecting oil interests in Africa. Economist

Iwo Jima has a new name -The name it was called before World War II. Guardian

Smoking bans in bars are definitely a good thing, but it caused a problem in Finland. (Melbourne) Age

Alvin and the Chipmunks were never this dramatic.

Taking Control

After five days of fighting, Palestinian group Hamas has taken control of almost all of the Gaza Strip from Fatah. BBC "We are witnessing the first signs of a cruel civil war," in Gaza, said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The Australian In a leaked report, the former U.N. Middle East envoy said American support for Israel has hurt the peace process. Guardian

Congressional subpoenas have been issued for two former White House officials over the firings of the nine U.S. attorneys. Reuters

The Justice Department refocuses civil rights cases on religion, not race. New York Times

A few post-its, paper napkins, wrapper for that office product, an empty cup of joe. How much trash do you produce in a day? Guardian But you recycle, right? Economist

No, I didn’t like your presentation. Yes, those pants make you look fat. It’s called Radical Honesty. Esquire Is it too honest for you?

Ever notice those radio stations that play hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s love to advertise that they don’t play rap?

Cold Climate

The G8 summit begins and the widening rift between Russia and the West, reminiscent of the Cold War, takes center stage.. Reuters ..Along with climate change. The U.S. has rejected a proposal on targets for cutting greenhouse gases. New York Times On climate change, Blair says it’s the G8.. Plus another 5. Guardian

Scientists say they have grown stem cells from skin cells. It could eliminate the use of embryos. Washington Post

“You can sleep when you’re dead.” Indeed. The zombie nation may already be upon us. Telegraph Already a zombie? How little sleep do you get?

There’s a bonus embedded on those i-Tunes digital downloads that don’t have copy protection: Your info. AP/CNN Now that you know this, will it stop you from buying those DRM-free songs?

Star Wars just celebrated its 30 Anniversary and Emperor Lucas unveiled his plans for the animated Clone Wars series, but what if there were to be an Episode VII? Here’s what it might look like.

The Search Continues..

The search continues for three missing U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Al-Qaeda claims it is holding them. MSNBC

Robert Mugabe can barely sustain his own brutal dictatorship, let alone any type of development. But oddly enough, Zimbabwe elected was chosen to head the U.N. commission of Sustainable Development. Reuters

Careful, there’s another risk in “going down.” Time

Going green is great. But as with anything, there are consequences. ABC

It’s one thing to have your customer service rep live in Bangalore or Mumbai. It’s another to have your news reporter live there when their beat is the Pasadena, CA City Council. Los Angeles Times

Equity group buys Chrysler. Financial Times

The price of stamps went up 16 months ago. The price goes up again today. And now there are “forever stamps.” AP/MSNBC

It’s always better when other people have friends like these, and you’re just a spectator.

More Time

The Pentagon extends tours for active-duty soldiers from 12 to 15 months in Iraq and Afghanistan. New York Times

The attack on the Algerian prime minister’s office by a group recently affiliated with al-Qaeda brings renewed fear in that country. BBC What threat could this group cause to France and the rest of Europe? Time

More Power? The National Intelligence Director - America’s spy chief - wants to give intelligence agencies even more power. AP/MSNBC

Behind Iran’s announcement of an industrial-scale nuclear program. It’s not all it’s hyped up to be. Time Background Q&A on the Iran nuclear standoff and nuclear weapons around the world. BBC

Don’t understand the extent of the genocide in Darfur? See it on Google Earth. Reuters

First, Live Aid. Then, Live 8. This summer: Live Earth which intends to raise awareness about the environment. (London) Times

Writer Kurt Vonnegut has died at the age of 84. New York Times


These action figures are pretty realistic.. And gory: Jets, flamethrowers, and in the accessory kit, ground beef!

The Future Of Mother Nature

Another Climate Change report is out with a grim picture of the future. BBC Since countries like the U.S. and China refused to allow some portions not to be printed in the final report, here’s what didn’t get in. Washington Post How climate change will affect areas around the world. BBC Is nuclear energy the way to go? 60 Minutes (video)

Speaking of nuclear.. Iran is supposed to have “good nuclear news” today. Good for whom? AFP/France 24

The British sailors and marines who were held in Iran are allowed to sell their stories to the press. And a lot of people are pissed off about it. Telegraph After being held captive for 13 days, what do you get in an Iranian “goody bag?” Sky

What life will be like in 35 years.. And it’s not all the cool stuff you usually hear in stories like this. Guardian

Think there are lower airfares than the ones on Expedia and Orbitz? Or trying to find a flight that isn’t delayed all the time? Check this out: New York Times

What’s more painful? This guy being so broken up about his ex that he breaks glass on his back and chest? Or how supportive his current wife is?

Moving Toward Peace

Israeli PM calls for a regional summit after Saudi leaders urge Israel to accept a 2002 peace deal. BBC

The latest on the British sailors and marines held in Iran after two more captives are put on Iranian TV. Telegraph

Both sides of the Iraq debate got very heated when talking about the spending bill for the war. Take a look and see how much Pork was attached to it. New York Times Not only that, but the corporate drug lobby had a huge amount of influence on Congress when it crafted the Medicare prescription drug bill. Not only have the drug companies profited, but so have several former Congressmen and staffers. 60 Minutes (video)

Climate Change affects poorer countries hardest. New York Times The night the lights went out in Sydney. Sydney Morning Herald

Who are you betting on? It’s Antigua and Barbuda vs. the U.S. in the legality of online gambling. Washington Post

The U.S. “has proved to be the single greatest collective human achievement of the past four centuries.” But.. Guardian

A genetic link has been found to prostate cancer. Reuters

There is a plan in play to move some events in the 2012 Olympics from London to Paris. Telegraph

This isn’t one of those “aww, that’s so cute” animal stories. Check out these “freakishly large animals” including a pet roach. No kidding. His name is Cocky. Newsweek


If You See Something, Say Something. Thanks to Brendan for pointing out the article on Congressional Pork. If you see an article you think should be posted in The Morning Joe, or you know a publication that has great content, give us a shout and tell us about it.

Oops!

A Plan Of Their Own?

House Dems may agree on a plan for Iraq: $100 million in appropriation for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, then out of Iraq by the end of ‘07. AP/Yahoo Problem: A general on the ground says the Bush-proposed troop build-up will need to last to February ‘08. New York Times U.S. Commander in Iraq says there’s no “military solution” to Iraq. You gotta start talking. Reuters

Now that the Libby trial is over, the question is: Will Bush pardon him? Washington Post

Why do people who criticize the Russian government end up shot or dead? Telegraph And why is Russia a deadly place for journalists? Guardian

For all the trouble starting Daylight Saving Time this weekend could cause - hopefully we wont’ be calling it Y2K7 - will we be saving any energy the proponents claim? Time

By 2010, you could be one of 32 million paying more taxes because of the AMT. CNN Money

It’s Go Time! 91-year-old man challenges 92-year-old Jack Lalanne to a boxing match. Don King will be asked if he’s interested in promoting it. Only in America. AP/Yahoo

Did your furry friend suddenly died? Or maybe you’re pooch likes leaving deposits on your rug? Wouldn’t it be great if there were a pet service like NetFlix so you always had a cool pet?

Can We Talk?

After resistance talking to Syria and Iran - a recommendation of the Iraq Study Group - the U.S. will talk to the two countries about Iraq. Washington Post This change of course, along with the change in policy over North Korea, isn’t a change that happened overnight. New York Times And now there are doubts about North Korea’s uranium enrichment program. Washington Post

Worldwide markets collectively freaked out on Tuesday when China’s stocks took a dip on Tuesday. Did the rest of the world overreact? Time Amidst its financial ascendance, China proclaimed socialism for another 100 years. Telegraph U.S. stocks to open today lower as Asian stocks have another tough day, but reports and deals could help keep U.S. number up. CNNMoney

McCain tells Letterman he’s officially in the race for president. Presumably, McCain didn’t announce on a news show because he’s already been running for months now. Late Show (video)

Do you have to practice what you preach? Especially if you’ve won an Oscar for your preachin’? Al Gore’s Tennessee home bill averages about $1200 a month. AP/Yahoo

One in four U.S. women age 14 - 59 have HPV, an STD that could lead to cervical cancer. Reuters

Japanese cars top the list of reliable rides according to a Consumer Reports survey. MSNBC Here are the picks: Consumer Reports

What Do You Think? Check this out: A man is suing his ex-fiancé because she won’t return the $48,000 engagement ring he bought her two years ago. No word about who broke it off, but does he have a right to ask for it back? Is an engagement ring given on the condition the couple walks down the aisle? Or once the rock is given, it’s hers even if they go splitsville. Let us know at Joe.


Feeling a little dirty? Being a little sinful? Look out for The Bible Thumpers! This God Squad is out to kick ass and save souls.



The Morning Joe will be taking a break on Monday, March 5. We’ll be posting again on Thursday, March 8. Have a good week!

180

After Senate Republicans stopped a floor debate on Iraq, a group of them turned around and support the debate. Washington Post Why are so many helicopters going down in Iraq? Time

Rudy is the GOP favorite. Time ..but does he need an attitude adjustment? Newsweek

One of the world’s top four greenhouse gas emitters, China says wealthier nations need to step up and do something about global warming before it does. New York Times Talk is cheap, and this writer says talking is all that will be done about the environment. Newsweek

In another 180, Apple’s Steve Jobs said he wants to remove copy protection from music sold on i-Tunes. Remember, it was Apple who made a ton of money because the i-Pod only plays music downloaded from i-Tunes. CNET Will the major labels risk removing copy-protection from their music? Guardian

Renters will end up paying more this year, even though paychecks won’t increase by the same amount. USA Today

Tour de France champion Floyd Landis will not defend his title. BBC

A-Rod can opt-out of his contract at the end of the 2007 season. He hasn’t said if he’ll do it, but let’s take a look at a few scenarios. ESPN

Think you might have beer-goggles? Researchers have looked into it and come up with a formula you can use to figure it out.. if you’re still sober enough. BBC

Being tied up with a sexy stranger might seem like a good idea, but you could lose an arm or two.