Yet Another Reason to Push for Energy Independence

Overshadowed by all the saber rattling Russia is doing in and around Georgia, there was another story recently that might give you pause before you dismiss plans to pursue solar and wind energy options. Russia, which has the 8th largest oil reserves in the world (source: Infoplease.com), and is the world's top natural gas producer (source: Wikipedia), still believes in some pretty blunt tactics for silencing political dissenters.

A Muckraker's Slaying Leaves Russian Province Fearing Crackdown.

I Defy You to Argue Against the Death Penalty After Reading This

From Current.com "Columbia University student raped and tortured for approx. 19 hours.

Uptown Update: State Senator Carol Ronen Gets 'Golden Parachute'

How does crap like this happen? Who knew that state politicians got pensions like this? Absolutely ridiculous. I'm without words.

Uptown Update: State Senator Carol Ronen Gets 'Golden Parachute'

Another Reason Why I will be Boycotting the Beijing Olympics

China blocks YouTube due to Tibet protest videos that were available there. Full article from the New York Times.

China: Favorite for the Gold in 'Free Speech Suppression' in 2008 Beijing Games?

I read this story on the plane back from New York the other day.

Do you support your country competing in an Olympics hosted by a government with this kind of policy against free speech? How about sponsors who seek increased sales via association with this event?

Related links:

* Reporters Without Borders

* MiaFarrow.org

* China Lashes Out at Olympic Critics

* Facebook group: Boycott the Beijing Olympics

* Contact the U.S. Olympic Committee

* Submit a comment to the United Nations

* Write your congressional representative

* List of Sponsors of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games