Below is the list of Countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol
Germany
Greece
Finland
France
Australia
Fiji
Antigua and Barbuda
Tuvalu
Maldives
Turkmenistan
Trinidad and Tobago
Panama
Bahamas
Georgia
Federated States of Micronesia
Jamaica
Cyprus
Paraguay
Mexico
Guatemala
Uzbekistan
Nicaragua
Bolivia
Palau
Mongolia
Ecuador
El Salvador
Honduras
Barbados
Equatorial Guinea
Lesotho
Guinea
Kiribati
Azerbaijan
Samoa
Uruguay
Romania
Mauritius
Gambia
Vanuatu
Senegal
Nauru
Argentina
Burundi
Bangladesh
Malawi
Malta
Czech Republic
Colombia
Morocco
Dominican Republic
Benin
Djibouti
Uganda
Mali
Papua New Guinea
Cuba
Iceland
Norway
European Union
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
Slovakia
Japan
Latvia
Seychelles
South Africa
Slovenia
Grenada
Costa Rica
Bulgaria
Hungary
Cambodia
Brazil
Bhutan
Chile
India
Tanzania
Cameroon
Thailand
China
Sri Lanka
Malaysia
Peru
Vietnam
Estonia
Liberia
South Korea
Poland
Canada
New Zealand
Lithuania
Jordan
Tunisia
Laos
Solomon Islands
Moldova
Armenia
Kyrgyzstan
Ghana
Switzerland
Guyana
Botswana
Marshall Islands
Burma
Saint Lucia
Namibia
Madagascar
Belize
Philippines
Israel
Ukraine
Togo
Rwanda
Yemen
Niger
Sudan
Russia
Republic of Macedonia
Indonesia
Liechtenstein
Nigeria
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Pakistan
Qatar
Egypt
Mozambique
Oman
Dominica
United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Algeria
Venezuela
Kenya
Kuwait
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Burkina Faso
Albania
Ethiopia
North Korea
Haiti
Mauritania
Eritrea
Iran
Belarus
Nepal
Guinea-Bissau
Swaziland
Syria
Bahrain
Cape Verde
Monaco
Singapore
Zambia
Libya
Suriname
Sierra Leone
Lebanon
Gabon
Congo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Angola
Montenegro
Serbia
Tonga
Central African Republic
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Comoros
The following countries have not ratified the Kyoto Protocol
Or have not yet expressed a position.
1 Afghanistan
2 Andorra
3 Brunei
4 Chad
5 Iraq
6 Palestinian Authority
7 Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
8 San Marino
9 São Tomé and Príncipe
10 Somalia
11 Republic of China (Taiwan)
12 Tajikistan
13 Timor-Leste
14 Turkey
15 Vatican City
16 Zimbabwe
To date the only nation to state it's intention NOT to ratify Kyoto
1. United States
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
400 Kids going back to Sect
The Texas appellate Court Says Sect Kids Unlawfully Taken and should be returned to there parents.
I have a problem with any state coming in and taking children away from their families. The idea of the state removing 400 children at one time, is unprecedented and more than a bit concerning. Removing a child from their home; the only home they have ever known, is an action to be avoided unless there is compelling evidence that the household poses a very real danger to that child. The fact that this Sect has some "Uncommon" religious practices does not justify taking kids away form their parents.
The question is, does forcing 13 and 14 year old girls to be the third or forth wife of a middle-aged man constitute a dangerous and or unacceptable home. Protective Services officials in Texas asserted that the members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints forced young girls into marriage and sex often to much older men who already had one or more wife. That these young girls would quickly become pregnant binding them to the sect even further. The boys were brought up to see the girls as future potential property, and become adult perpetrators.
The difficulty for the State stems in large part because the original phone call that brought them into the ranch was not actually from a member of the church and had lied during that call. Also Only about 30 of the 440 children seized are teenage girls, since forced sex of minor girls was the justification for the removal of the kids; most of the 440 were not allegedly subjected to those actions and the State failed to show a compelling reason for their removal.
The state needed to be a bit more selective in who it removed from the homes. Clearly, the state has a valid concern about these young people's safety. While we must grant our churches a wide latitude in following their beliefs and practices; but the has to be some reasonable limits and protections especially when it concerns children.
Larry Lubell
I have a problem with any state coming in and taking children away from their families. The idea of the state removing 400 children at one time, is unprecedented and more than a bit concerning. Removing a child from their home; the only home they have ever known, is an action to be avoided unless there is compelling evidence that the household poses a very real danger to that child. The fact that this Sect has some "Uncommon" religious practices does not justify taking kids away form their parents.
The question is, does forcing 13 and 14 year old girls to be the third or forth wife of a middle-aged man constitute a dangerous and or unacceptable home. Protective Services officials in Texas asserted that the members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints forced young girls into marriage and sex often to much older men who already had one or more wife. That these young girls would quickly become pregnant binding them to the sect even further. The boys were brought up to see the girls as future potential property, and become adult perpetrators.
The difficulty for the State stems in large part because the original phone call that brought them into the ranch was not actually from a member of the church and had lied during that call. Also Only about 30 of the 440 children seized are teenage girls, since forced sex of minor girls was the justification for the removal of the kids; most of the 440 were not allegedly subjected to those actions and the State failed to show a compelling reason for their removal.
The state needed to be a bit more selective in who it removed from the homes. Clearly, the state has a valid concern about these young people's safety. While we must grant our churches a wide latitude in following their beliefs and practices; but the has to be some reasonable limits and protections especially when it concerns children.
Larry Lubell
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
100,000 dead in Myanmar Cyclone
Myanmar's foreign minister says the death toll from the cyclone could reach 100,000.
Think back for a moment to that horrible day in September, when hijacked planes were flown into the World Trade Center, or the devastation brought by Katrina. Their Combined death toll could end up being one 25 th the that of the Myanmar cyclone.
While the winds and water surge are acts of nature, the crisis has been made worse by the actions of the repressive government in Myanmar, and their unwillingness to reach out to the world for help. Barbara Bush spoke out trying to get that government to except the aid and help we have offered.
Tropical Cyclone Nargis hit the Southeast Asian country, formerly known as Burma, Saturday morning packing winds of up to 120 mph. Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, was particularly hard hit. The cyclone blew roofs off hospitals and schools and cut electricity in a large area of the country.
As we learned from Katrina, the death toll has a lot to do with the speed with which help can be delivered to those suffering. My heart goes out to the people, lets hope that their leaders begin to show the same passion for the people as they show for maintaining power.
Think back for a moment to that horrible day in September, when hijacked planes were flown into the World Trade Center, or the devastation brought by Katrina. Their Combined death toll could end up being one 25 th the that of the Myanmar cyclone.
While the winds and water surge are acts of nature, the crisis has been made worse by the actions of the repressive government in Myanmar, and their unwillingness to reach out to the world for help. Barbara Bush spoke out trying to get that government to except the aid and help we have offered.
Tropical Cyclone Nargis hit the Southeast Asian country, formerly known as Burma, Saturday morning packing winds of up to 120 mph. Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, was particularly hard hit. The cyclone blew roofs off hospitals and schools and cut electricity in a large area of the country.
As we learned from Katrina, the death toll has a lot to do with the speed with which help can be delivered to those suffering. My heart goes out to the people, lets hope that their leaders begin to show the same passion for the people as they show for maintaining power.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Bush the most unpopular president in modern American history.
- While polls confirm that the current administration has the highest Disapproval record of any in modern times, it seems as if few people dislike president Bush personally.
A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. released A new poll that President Bush is the most unpopular president in modern American history and that 71 percent of the American's disapprove of his job as president."No president has ever had a higher disapproval rating in any CNN or Gallup Poll; in fact, this is the first time that any president's disapproval rating has cracked the 70 percent mark," said Keating Holland, CNN's polling director.CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider adds, "He is more unpopular than Richard Nixon was just before he resigned from the presidency in August 1974." His disapproval rating dropped to 66 percent.
It is clear, that the presidents numbers are tied to support for the war in Iraq and the poll a showed that support for the war in Iraq has never been lower.
Support for the war has plummeted from a high of 80% to it's current level where 68 percent of American are against the war."Americans are growing more pessimistic about the war," Holland said. "In January, nearly half believed that things were going well for the U.S. in Iraq; now that figure has dropped to 39 percent."
However for most Americans this is not a "Personal thing".
Interviewing people at a downtown Chicago mall, I heard frequent similar comments.
"Hey, I have nothing against the guy, I just think Bush has us going in the wrong way", Said, new mom, Susan Gardner.
"Yea, I voted for him, he seemed more trustworthy that Gore, and the Dems, I still think so; but this war is bad and getting worse" Said Paul Briani.
For better or worse, President Bush is forever tied to Iraq.
Larry Lubell
Larry@UrbanInsuranceAgency
A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. released A new poll that President Bush is the most unpopular president in modern American history and that 71 percent of the American's disapprove of his job as president."No president has ever had a higher disapproval rating in any CNN or Gallup Poll; in fact, this is the first time that any president's disapproval rating has cracked the 70 percent mark," said Keating Holland, CNN's polling director.CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider adds, "He is more unpopular than Richard Nixon was just before he resigned from the presidency in August 1974." His disapproval rating dropped to 66 percent.
It is clear, that the presidents numbers are tied to support for the war in Iraq and the poll a showed that support for the war in Iraq has never been lower.
Support for the war has plummeted from a high of 80% to it's current level where 68 percent of American are against the war."Americans are growing more pessimistic about the war," Holland said. "In January, nearly half believed that things were going well for the U.S. in Iraq; now that figure has dropped to 39 percent."
However for most Americans this is not a "Personal thing".
Interviewing people at a downtown Chicago mall, I heard frequent similar comments.
"Hey, I have nothing against the guy, I just think Bush has us going in the wrong way", Said, new mom, Susan Gardner.
"Yea, I voted for him, he seemed more trustworthy that Gore, and the Dems, I still think so; but this war is bad and getting worse" Said Paul Briani.
For better or worse, President Bush is forever tied to Iraq.
Larry Lubell
Larry@UrbanInsuranceAgency
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Gas prices to hit $5.00?
The $100 fill-up has arrived in the United States.
No more than a few years ago if someone would have told you that a fill-up could run upwards of $100; you would have laughed loudly to their face. No ones laughing now.
(But the execs at "Big Oil" Companies are wearing a grin). Crude Oil which had been trading at the $20 range, and had never hit $50, has now broken through $120 a barrel.
The national average for regular unleaded is $3.53 and rising daily. Last year at this time, people were complaining that it was $2.86 per gallon. According to AAA, 24 states and the District of Columbia are averaging at or above $3.50 a gallon for regular unleaded. Premium, which is required for many cars and SUVs can run 40 to 60 cents higher.
Once again, California is home to the nation's highest average gas prices.
•San Francisco $3.97 per gallon; last year $3.47
• Los Angeles $3.85; last year $3.32
• San Jose $3.89; last year $3.36
• Sacramento $3.86; last year $3.30
• San Diego $3.88; last year $3.35
As scary as these prices seem now, many are warning that Americans should expect the price to increase another 25 cents over the next month and continue to climb over the summer months.
"A national average approaching $4 a gallon for self serve regular is likely, with cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and New York seeing prices for Premium at over $4.75 per gallon. Those type of prices will be devastating to America's already weak economy. As you read this blog, millions of families are struggling to make their mortgage payments, many of which are adjusting dramatically upward. In fact America finds it's self in a recession while simultaneously suffering inflation. We also find that the government as well as individuals and business are deep in debt; as a result, our options are limited.
Now is an auful time to be trying to sell Motor Homes, but a great time to be selling mopeds and scooters. I have had customers of ours tell me they are "Putting away" their car and buying a 125 cc bike.The allure of 60 or 70 miles per gallon is too hard to pass up.
Get a Motorcycle Quote
Urban Insurance Agency can save you money on your motorcycle insurance.
Owning and maintaining a car has never been cheap. And, gas is one of the biggest, of those expenses. With gas prices at all time highs, this has never been truer. But you can save gas and save money if you follow the following tips.
No more than a few years ago if someone would have told you that a fill-up could run upwards of $100; you would have laughed loudly to their face. No ones laughing now.
(But the execs at "Big Oil" Companies are wearing a grin). Crude Oil which had been trading at the $20 range, and had never hit $50, has now broken through $120 a barrel.
The national average for regular unleaded is $3.53 and rising daily. Last year at this time, people were complaining that it was $2.86 per gallon. According to AAA, 24 states and the District of Columbia are averaging at or above $3.50 a gallon for regular unleaded. Premium, which is required for many cars and SUVs can run 40 to 60 cents higher.
Once again, California is home to the nation's highest average gas prices.
•San Francisco $3.97 per gallon; last year $3.47
• Los Angeles $3.85; last year $3.32
• San Jose $3.89; last year $3.36
• Sacramento $3.86; last year $3.30
• San Diego $3.88; last year $3.35
As scary as these prices seem now, many are warning that Americans should expect the price to increase another 25 cents over the next month and continue to climb over the summer months.
"A national average approaching $4 a gallon for self serve regular is likely, with cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and New York seeing prices for Premium at over $4.75 per gallon. Those type of prices will be devastating to America's already weak economy. As you read this blog, millions of families are struggling to make their mortgage payments, many of which are adjusting dramatically upward. In fact America finds it's self in a recession while simultaneously suffering inflation. We also find that the government as well as individuals and business are deep in debt; as a result, our options are limited.
Now is an auful time to be trying to sell Motor Homes, but a great time to be selling mopeds and scooters. I have had customers of ours tell me they are "Putting away" their car and buying a 125 cc bike.The allure of 60 or 70 miles per gallon is too hard to pass up.
Get a Motorcycle Quote
Urban Insurance Agency can save you money on your motorcycle insurance.
Owning and maintaining a car has never been cheap. And, gas is one of the biggest, of those expenses. With gas prices at all time highs, this has never been truer. But you can save gas and save money if you follow the following tips.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The $100 fill-up has arrived in the United States.
No more than a few years ago if someone would have told you that a fill-up could run upwards of $100; you would have laughed loudly to their face. No ones laughing now.
(But the execs at "Big Oil" Companies are wearing a grin). Crude Oil which had been trading at the $20 range, and had never hit $50, has now broken through $120 a barrel.
The national average for regular unleaded is $3.53 and rising daily. Last year at this time, people were complaining that it was $2.86 per gallon. According to AAA, 24 states and the District of Columbia are averaging at or above $3.50 a gallon for regular unleaded.Premium, which is required for many cars and SUVs can run 40 to 60 cents higher. Once again, California is home to the nation's highest average gas prices.
•San Francisco $3.97 per gallon; last year $3.47
• Los Angeles $3.85; last year $3.32
• San Jose $3.89; last year $3.36
• Sacramento $3.86; last year $3.30
• San Diego $3.88; last year $3.35
As scary as these prices seem now, many are warning that Americans should expect the price to increase another 25 cents over the next month and continue to climb over the summer months.
"A national average approaching $4 a gallon for self serve regular is likely, with cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and New York seeing prices for Premium at over $4.75 per gallon. Those type of prices will be devastating to America's already weak economy. As you read this blog, millions of families are struggling to make their mortgage payments, many of which are adjusting dramatically upward. In fact America finds it's self in a recession while simultaneously suffering inflation. We also find that the government as well as individuals and business are deep in debt; as a result, our options are limited.
(But the execs at "Big Oil" Companies are wearing a grin). Crude Oil which had been trading at the $20 range, and had never hit $50, has now broken through $120 a barrel.
The national average for regular unleaded is $3.53 and rising daily. Last year at this time, people were complaining that it was $2.86 per gallon. According to AAA, 24 states and the District of Columbia are averaging at or above $3.50 a gallon for regular unleaded.Premium, which is required for many cars and SUVs can run 40 to 60 cents higher. Once again, California is home to the nation's highest average gas prices.
•San Francisco $3.97 per gallon; last year $3.47
• Los Angeles $3.85; last year $3.32
• San Jose $3.89; last year $3.36
• Sacramento $3.86; last year $3.30
• San Diego $3.88; last year $3.35
As scary as these prices seem now, many are warning that Americans should expect the price to increase another 25 cents over the next month and continue to climb over the summer months.
"A national average approaching $4 a gallon for self serve regular is likely, with cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and New York seeing prices for Premium at over $4.75 per gallon. Those type of prices will be devastating to America's already weak economy. As you read this blog, millions of families are struggling to make their mortgage payments, many of which are adjusting dramatically upward. In fact America finds it's self in a recession while simultaneously suffering inflation. We also find that the government as well as individuals and business are deep in debt; as a result, our options are limited.
Now is an auful time to be trying to sell Motor Homes, but a great time to be selling mopeds and scooters. I have had customers of ours tell me they are "Putting away" their car and buying a 125 cc bike.The allure of 60 or 70 miles per gallon is too hard to pass up.
Get a Motorcycle Quote
Urban Insurance Agency can save you money on your motorcycle insurance. Read 10 Ways to Save Money on Motorcycle Insurance.
Owning and maintaining a car has never been cheap. And, gas is one of the biggest, of those expenses. With gas prices at all time highs, this has never been truer. But you can save gas and save money if you follow the following tips.
Get a Motorcycle Quote
Urban Insurance Agency can save you money on your motorcycle insurance. Read 10 Ways to Save Money on Motorcycle Insurance.
Owning and maintaining a car has never been cheap. And, gas is one of the biggest, of those expenses. With gas prices at all time highs, this has never been truer. But you can save gas and save money if you follow the following tips.
Clinton: too little too late?
With her double digit win in Pennsylvania, Clinton will pick up 81 of the states 158 delegates, while Obama won just 69 , but she also added yet another win in one of the large states including California, New York, Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania as well as in the questionable Florida primary. 
Barack Obama's loss in another big state coupled with the margins by which he lost blue-collar and rural voters may raise questions about his electability.
The results in Pennsylvania follows similar trends set in previous contests: Clinton won the white vote, Obama won the black vote; Clinton won the older vote, Obama won the younger vote; Clinton won in rural areas, Obama carried the urban vote.
Obama on Wednesday downplayed Clinton's win, saying "it's important for people to keep things in perspective.
Sen. Hillary Clinton speaking to the "Super Delegates" as well as to voters in upcoming states, stated
"Clearly [Obama] outspent me again in Pennsylvania, 3 to 1, and we roared back with a tremendous grass-roots campaign and millions of people turning out to vote and favoring me by a big margin. ... The fair question is, if you can't win the states we have to win in the fall, maybe that says something about your general-election appeal," she said.
With neither candidate able to reach the 2,025 delegates needed for the nomination, those super delegates will decide who gets the nomination. And they have to weigh questions like How many of Obama's supporters would vote for Mcaine, if Hillary got the nomination VS How many of Clinton's would switch if reversed. Who would be the strongest candidate, as well as pondering their own political interests, and pressures.
Is this a sign the "Tide is turning", or is it too little too late. One thing is for sure- this is not a boring primary this time around.
Barack Obama's loss in another big state coupled with the margins by which he lost blue-collar and rural voters may raise questions about his electability.
The results in Pennsylvania follows similar trends set in previous contests: Clinton won the white vote, Obama won the black vote; Clinton won the older vote, Obama won the younger vote; Clinton won in rural areas, Obama carried the urban vote.
Obama on Wednesday downplayed Clinton's win, saying "it's important for people to keep things in perspective.
Sen. Hillary Clinton speaking to the "Super Delegates" as well as to voters in upcoming states, stated
"Clearly [Obama] outspent me again in Pennsylvania, 3 to 1, and we roared back with a tremendous grass-roots campaign and millions of people turning out to vote and favoring me by a big margin. ... The fair question is, if you can't win the states we have to win in the fall, maybe that says something about your general-election appeal," she said.
With neither candidate able to reach the 2,025 delegates needed for the nomination, those super delegates will decide who gets the nomination. And they have to weigh questions like How many of Obama's supporters would vote for Mcaine, if Hillary got the nomination VS How many of Clinton's would switch if reversed. Who would be the strongest candidate, as well as pondering their own political interests, and pressures.
Is this a sign the "Tide is turning", or is it too little too late. One thing is for sure- this is not a boring primary this time around.
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Larry Lubell
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