This New York Times editorial gives us further proof that meaningful legislation on climate change will be a long and tough battle:

With one exception, none of the Republicans running for the Senate — including the 20 or so with a serious chance of winning — accept the scientific consensus that humans are largely responsible for global warming…

… A few may genuinely believe global warming is a left-wing plot. Others may be singing the tune of corporate benefactors. And many Republicans have seized on the cap-and-trade climate bill as another way to paint Democrats as out-of-control taxers.

In one way or another, though, all are custodians of a strategy whose guiding principle has been to avoid debate about solutions to climate change by denying its existence — or at least by diminishing its importance. The strategy worked, destroying hopes for Congressional action while further confusing ordinary citizens for whom global warming was already a remote and complex matter.

It will be tragic to watch these same politicians change their tunes and deny that they were ever deniers once the reality of climate change becomes undeniable.

What’s on your mind tonight?

When the majority says marijuana should not be a crime the law loses its legitimacy.

It is hard to imagine that Eric Holder’s letter threatening to "vigorously enforce" federal law if California votes for legalization of marijuana is serious. It seems timed to manipulate voters in California, but in this year when political elites are hated it is likely to backfire and lead Californians to vote to end the failed marijuana war.

During one of the greatest failed experiments in American history, alcohol prohibition, a turning point was when New York told the federal government it would no longer enforce laws against alcohol. That left it to the federal government to enforce the law. Already “the feds” as they were derogatorily known were hated in rural areas where alcohol was often produced and the feds came in and disrupted their commerce. Then, the biggest urban area refused to enforce the law. The result, alcohol prohibition ended a few years later.

Attorney General Eric Holder last week promised "We will vigorously enforce the [Controlled Substances Act] against those individuals and organizations that possess, manufacture or distribute marijuana for recreational use, even if such activities are permitted under state law." Does he mean that the federal government will start enforcing laws against possession of marijuana? Or, be looking in people’s homes to see if they are growing or using marijuana? That they will be searching people’s backyards for their marijuana victory garden?  . . .

[Ed. Note: Update promoted as many members of The Seminal community will want to know.]

Mohammed Ibn Laith is now out of bed for as much as two and half hours at a time every day.

On Saturday he was taken for surgery which went well all the tubes were taken out and the wounds packed. He is healing well,

Yesterday his wife was allowed bring their son to visit him. (Normally toddlers are not allow by hospital to visit but an exception was made in this case). Mohammed was able hold him and hug him and play with him which was a great comfort to both of them.

I know that people here have been hoping and praying for his recovery and am glad to bring the good news that he is recovering very quickly.

Insha’ Allah he will be able to leave hospital next week.

Nur Hussein Ghazali