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Prospects for Tuesday, 5 August

Brian Thornton | 11:00 UK time, Tuesday, 5 August 2008

Good morning, here are the early thoughts of programme producer Richard:

"Climate change
Interesting article from George Monbiot today arguing amongst other things that the timescale is now so urgent it's time to ditch environmentalists' long-standing veto on nuclear power. Meanwhile the climate camp at Kingsnorth in Kent is gearing up for its day of mass action later in the week, and Obama has also been changing his energy policy as the cost of oil continues to hit consumers in the US. How is all this affecting the green debate?

US elections
Both McCain and Obama have still to select their candidates for VP. Will it happen this week, before Olympic coverage swamps the US media? And what are each of them looking for in a running mate?

China cyberspace
Paul Mason has a report looking at how the internet is changing China - allowing Chinese citizens unprecedented opportunities for debate, but also giving the state even greater access into their lives.

Iran
Today is the deadline for Iran to submit its response to demands for it to suspend its nuclear enrichment programme.

But there's plenty of opportunity to do something different today, so please come to the meeting with lots of ideas.

Richard"

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    Climate change - I am sure if you discuss nuclear power you are going to highlight the waste issue as thats key to objections.

    On the Veep issue any chance of mentioning whether Hilary, a potential running mate, is going to get her $10m. I think its a scandal if she does but that was a fund raising issue and I assume an issue on the Veep selection (that she asked and that she might have to get it).

    On China any chance of getting Paul Mason to enlarge on some of his comments about how stable the Chinese stock market is? If it isn't then we are all in the doo doo.

  • Comment number 2.

    DOING SCIENCE or BEING SCIENTIFIC

    Monbiot belongs with Dawkins. He has 'signed up' to a quasi-scientific belief rather than seeking truth.

  • Comment number 3.

    HONOURABLY OFF MESSAGE

    On the Parliament website, there is a Code of Conduct for MPs. Ignoring, for the moment, its shortcomings and implicit obsession with money, do new MP's physically SIGN UP to this code? Or does the mantle of 'honour' that seems to descend on them, the moment they are elected, serve as 'signature' by default, as so much else in this wonky democracy?

  • Comment number 4.

    It would be easier to sell Uranium as a fuel for us Brits as to the consumer it is a familiar concept of burning a mined chemical for energy. However the long term usage and consequences of nuclear power are far too unstable for reliable investment.

    Uranium will vanish like oil so let us show our future generations some compassion; not to force them into disastrous conflicts over a chemical that creates disastrous waste.

    Instead of selling nuclear power as the next best fuel to oil; why not give everyone the chance to see the clear and better benefits of renewable energy sources; like wind and wave power.

    If Britain is a democratic country; why not let the British people decide the fuel of our future?

  • Comment number 5.

    One other, worthy aspect of the 'green' debate is how it is running past the general/consuming public from many sources, especially those who see themselves as 'guiding lights'.

    Rather topical as the subject of communicating with the great unwashed, er, me... has cropped up of course with the VED, too.

    I wish I had the techno (hats off) facility of a Chloe_F in getting the links hyper'd, but this is another from the Guardian - on the topic of medium and messengers - worth a gander:



    Meanwhile here's another aspect that seems... pertinent:



    I do have to wonder how those who may agree that we are in a pickle (but also may not agree with some aspects as outlined by other advocates) might seek the week off from our day jobs were they not funded in some way by more sympathetic employers. Maybe the relevant minister could be asked for her opinions on our rights to do this on the basis that we are looking after a needy planet?

    Meanwhile, I shall now for all due balance pop over to the Times, Telegraph, and maybe even such as the News of the World (circulation what, and to whom, versus the Guardian readership?) to see how all this is playing there:)

    Over the past few months the voters who read such tomes seem to have had an influence it would be silly to (try to) ignore (or, worse, dismiss), eh?

  • Comment number 6.

    How about funding for AIDS? President Clinton has made an important speech on the topic in Mexico. The Bush administration has pumped billions of dollars into the fight against AIDS yet this rarely gets reported. How much of Bush's AIDS funding is going to be remembered and built upon? I have yet to hear Obama or McCain mention the fight against global AIDS.

  • Comment number 7.

    South Korean scientists have performed the first commercial dog cloning, making five copies of a US woman's pit bull terrier. The company said it could clone up to 300 dogs next year and was considering moving into camel cloning "for rich people in the Middle East".

    This is what always happens. So next time 'the scientists' tell you the next new freaky biotech is about saving the poor, the hungry or whatever remember its really about profit.


    i don't think we have enough media coverage of China. Why are you holding back?

  • Comment number 8.

    Has anyone thought that Alistair Darling might be a new Nick leeson lol. He is spending the tax payers money on a bank that could still go under.

  • Comment number 9.

    Climate change - global warming : The rain is so hot, we are saving it to use in our sauna!

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