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I'd like to see a source on this claim. All too often when I see such projections it's heavily weighted with unrealistic assumptions and back-end installations. For example, stuff like 75% of the renewable power will be installed in 2015-2020, and they're already behind their 25% goal by 2015.

A google search - seems the goal is 100% electricity from renewables, not energy. The goal for heating is only 11% by 2020:
Not until 2030(by Oil&Gas, admittably)
Equivalent, not 'actual' 100% - They'll be trading with other countries, buying non-renewable power, but will sell renewable at other times, but will net out 100%(realistic).
This page suggests they lucked out on the renewable resource trend; favorable wind and tide power locations. They're also 'ahead of schedule' and 35% of the way there. Still, they'll need to increase 8% a year to meet the goal, which I find a bit ambitious.

That doesn't mean that I wouldn't be trying to reach similar goals if I was evil overlord of the United states; it's just that nuclear power would very much be part of the mix.

As one of the readers who mentioned this in a submission: http://video.stv.tv/bc/ITN_041111_worldICEBERG04/?redirect=no is a good short video story version on this, including some graphics on ice flows and pictures of the crack. Quite well done. Not this isn't a GW/CC event, but it is a chance to see the formation of a crack in progress, which we do not always catch. All icebergs start with this cracking process, and icebergs form in warm and cold periods of history. Understanding the ice dynamics of how flows of build up turn into stress is the ice equivalent of studying plate tectonics: the science of large solid plates bending, cracking, and then failing.

There is no objective middle on the political spectrum. It especially varies greatly between different countries. Also what is considers a "centrist" position shifts over time. To give an example at some point support for the death penalty was a centrist position in all European countries. Now it is considered an opinion on the outer right fringe only support by such lovely outfits like the British National Party.

To me as a European the notion that American media is left leaning is completely incomprehensible. Where was this "left" American media in the build-up to the Iraq war? With very few exceptions American news media is sensational, shallow, devoid of any analytical depth, fear mongering and US centric. I find it appealingly bad especially when comparing to past greatness (e.g. Time magazine in the 40s, the Cronkite area) but to call it left leaning is just silly unless you push an agenda.

As a Scot, I feel the need to explain a few things regarding the al-Megrahi compassionate release.

The Lockerbie bomber was tried and imprisoned under Scots Law. And under Scots law, if you are imprisoned, no longer seen as a threat to the public and in the medical opinion of the Scottish Prison Service 3 months to live you are eligible compassionate for release. In the vast majority of cases this is granted. That is The Law, no if's, no buts, no exemptions. No matter how much sickening it may be to do so.

While I am an Atheist, the laws of my country (like many in the west), have a heavy basis in the Christian Bible. As a result, lots of eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth but also the increasing unpopular notions of forgiveness and turning the other cheek. What benefit is there in letting a dying man, no matter how heinous the crime, spend his last days in prison? Is that a desire for justice or is it vengeance? Yes, he denied that fate to so many others. But that is no excuse to compromise these principles, doubly so when the state makes the decision. For if we do not show our values in the face of our enemies, how different are we from them?

It should be pointed out that the Doctor at the center of the "Ten years or more" life expectancy claim was not part of the medical opinion that formed the basis of his compassionate release, and has appeared on the TV saying he was misquoted. This opinion at the time of release was al-Megrahi has a 50% chance of passing away in the next 3 months, with the percentage decreasing to about 1% chance he will live 10 years.
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/187126-lockerbie-doctor-speaks-out-over-megrahi-comments/

The Scottish Government has already released all the records (Bar those the US and UK government has asked to with hold) regarding his release long before these senators trying to get themselves re-elected started this. Have a look for yourself.

Maybe, just maybe, the official position is the truth and the conspiracy is just that?

Like this guy!

Morning glory: Man convicted of solo sex romp on trampoline

The Lib Dems advocate STV with voting for candidates, not parties ( http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7121275.ece , http://news.stv.tv/election-2010/analysis/176335-stvs-guide-to-stv/ ).

And the Alternative Vote Plus system (which a commission recommended under Labour) would also have people voting for candidates.

So yes, you can argue with your straw man, but the rest of us are proposing something different.

I've traveled enough to know to leave the rose tinted spectacles at home. Scum exist wherever you go in the world, and when theres riots happening, they gravitate.