The Kyoto Treaty took effect today. Notably minus the signatories of the United States and Australia.

Proponents Want U.S. to Join Kyoto Pact

"The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in Japan's ancient capital in 1997, imposes legally binding requirements on 35 industrialized states to cut emissions of 'greenhouse gases' blamed for rising world temperatures to an average of 5 percent below 1990 levels. The treaty has been ratified by 140 nations.

But the largest emitter of such gases, the United States, has refused to go along with the restrictions, saying they are flawed and could hurt its economy. Washington's absence loomed large over celebrations Wednesday in Kyoto, where environment ministers from member countries said progress would be limited without American participation."

Could someone please tell me how this treaty would harm the US economy as to outweigh the benefits of reduced greenhouse gases? Because all I have heard is the standard line; simply that it will hurt our economy.

Next up, something out of the ordinary! The shrub today said that he was not ruling out raising the cap on earnings subject to social security tax, currently at $90,000.

Bush May Raise Taxes for Social Security

Great! I have been saying that we should do that since I first started looking into this issue. Originally it seemed like shrub was against this, but this is good news.

By the way, why are these headlines saying "raise taxes on Social Security"? It is raising the cap on earnings that are taxable, not raising taxes, which would connote that the tax RATE would be going up. Interesting that the SCLB (So Called Liberal Media) would frame the story this way. Things that make you go HMMMM.

Oh and in Iraq the Prime Minister selection has gone to a secret ballot.

Iraq's PM Race Goes to Secret Ballot

"After hours of closed-door meetings, members of the United Iraqi Alliance agreed to hold a secret ballot to choose between Ibrahim al-Jaafari and Ahmad Chalabi, most likely on Friday, said Ali Hashim al-Youshaa, one of the alliance's leaders.

The contrast between the two candidates is stark and reveals a division within the clergy-endorsed alliance, made up of 10 major political parties and various allied smaller groups."

Apparently this is not a good thing for prospects of unity. Hopefully this will shake out well.

Some not so good news from the Middle East.

Iran, Syria to Unite to Counter Threats


Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji al-Otari, left, meets with Iran's Vice-President, Mohammad Reza Aref, in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005. (AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian)

"Iran and Syria, who both are facing pressure from the United States, said Wednesday they will form a 'united front' to confront possible threats against them, state-run television reported.

'In view of the special conditions faced by Syria, Iran will transfer its experience, especially concerning sanctions, to Syria,' Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran's first vice president, was quoted as saying after meeting Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otari.

'At this sensitive point, the two countries require a united front due to numerous challenges.'

Otari concurred, saying, 'The challenges we face in Syria and Iran require us to be in one front to confront all the challenges imposed (on us) by others.'"

Oh boy. To hell in a hand basket, to hell in a hand basket.