Northern Gateway Pipeline: B.C. Coast and Communities not for Sale

Native groups, environmentalists and a number of local politicians have combined to say that the British Columbia (B.C.) coast and communities are not for sale.
The announcement came shortly after B.C.s premier Christie Clark announced five condidtions that have to be met should B.C. consider approval of the Northern Gateway project. The pipeline would transport Alberta crude from Hardesty, Alberta to Kitimat, B.C.
Clark's demands are an attempt to put a value on the inherent risks undertaken by B.C., which would have the pipeline cross the province up to the west coast and then the inherent risk of tanker traffic on the environmentally sensitive west coast. Clark has not indicated what that fair share would be. Full Story allvoices.com

Mitt Romney's Address in Jerusalem Full Text

The Republican candidate Mitt Romney gave an address in Jerusalem, which vowed that America would respect any decsision made by Israel, should talks with Teheran fail. He emphasized that Israel has the right to defend itself against an Iran that possesses nuclear weapons and that it is right for the United States to stand at Israel's side. Israels' right to a pre-emptive strike would be respected, he underlined.
"When Iran’s leaders deny the Holocaust or speak of wiping this nation off the map, only the naïve – or worse – will dismiss it as an excess of rhetoric. Make no mistake: the ayatollahs in Tehran are testing our moral defenses. They want to know who will object, and who will look the other way.
My message to the people of Israel and the leaders of Iran is one and the same: I will not look away; and neither will my country. As Prime Minister Begin put it, in vivid and haunting words, “if an enemy of [the Jewish] people says he seeks to destroy us, believe him.”  Full story @allvoices.com

German Champion Borussia Dortmund defeat Legia Warsaw 1-0

Borussia Dortmund has completed another test in its preparation phase for the 2011/12 Bundesliga season. In a Sunday game at the Pepsi Arena in Warsaw, the champions defeated Legia Warsaw with a fourth minute goal by Lukas Lewandowski (a Polish national).
Although Matt Hummels was once again available, Mario Goetze missed the match due to an eye infection. The newly acquired Reus played the central control in midfield in the first half surrounded by Grosskreutz, Grundogan Kuba and Kehl. Lewandowski was the only striker. Full story @allvoices.com

Michelle Obama Feels Your Pain

While the Liberal main stream media makes a big deal about Mitt Romney's wealth and elitism, it was ecstatic about Michelle Obama's silver laced $6,800 jacket. Michelle Obama wore the jacket to a Buckingham Palace reception.
"Michelle Obama remained true to her patriotic fashion theme today in a dazzling white top and skirt for this evening's events in London   Full story @allvoices.com

Canadian Provincial Leaders United on Health Care Costs

While a National Energy Strategy showed strong division between the Premiers of British Columbia and Alberta, Canada's provincial leaders are united in their opposition to the federal governments new funding scheme. The Premiers say that the formula would cost them $36 Billion in transfer payments over ten years.
Under the Canada Health Act, the federal government mandates minimum services that must be provided, while the provinces execute the delivery of health care.
The federal government recently announced a new funding formula, which would increase federal funding by 6% through to 2017 and then the increase would be tied to economic growth plus 1%, but never less than 3%. The new funding scheme was introduced by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty without prior consultation with the provinces.  Full Story @allvoices.com

DOD: US military casualties in Afghanistan as of July 27, 2012

With Syria in turmoil, the election campaign in full swing and the Olympics underway, twelve more US soldiers died in Afghanistan this week. Two more soldier were killed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 86 US soldiers joined the list of wounded warriors.
News on the US economy continued to be disappointing with the Commerce Department reporting that the economy had slowed to a growth of 1.5%, while consumer confidence dropped to its lowest level in 2012. Consumer spending accounts for 70% of economic activity. Full Story @allvoices.com

Pipeline politics in Canada: national energy strategy

There has been a heated spat between British Columbia Premier Christie Clark and Alberta's Premier Alison Redford. The dispute started when Christie Clark paid a call on Redford to outline her conditions for the Northern Gateway pipeline, before going public.
Christie went public this week, prior to the Premier's Summit in Lunenburg, NS with her conditions:
1. Completing the environmental review process with a recommendation by the National Energy Board that the project proceed.
2. Deploying world leading marine oil spill response for the delicate BC coast line
3. Using world leading land spill response and prevention.
4. Addressing legal requirements of Aboriginal and treaty rights.
5. Ensuring that BC receives a fair share of the fiscal and economic benefits. At present B.C. only gets eight percent of the pipeline revenue.  Full Story @allovoices