Panda poop may hold key to major breakthrough in biofuels

According to the latest research into the viability of alternative energy, panda droppings actually hold a treasure trove of uniquely powerful bacteria that could revolutionize the production of biofuels.

Solyndra files for bankruptcy, federal loan guarantees in peril

The DOE guaranteed $535 million in loans for Solyndra and is being less than forthcoming about details of the loan and why Solyndra was chosen.

[Solyndra's bankruptcy filing today] is about the worst outcome possible for a company that the Department of Energy has touted as a game-changing solar tech company, and which received an [...]

Honey-fig artisanal chevre cheese

Our pal DJ makes delicious cheese and sells it mostly at farmer’s market. His new flavor, Honey-Fig Chevre, is an instant success. If you want to order some (West of the Rockies), contact him.

It’s made with Cedar City honey, Toquerville figs, and of course all-natural Jackrabbit Ranch soft goat cheese. The response was [...]

Texas drought

The Agonist, from Don in West Texas, on the current devastating Texas drought, which may continue for another year and even intensify.

We raise more cattle than anywhere in these United States. Or we once did, anyway… As I speak, broilers are dying by the droves while farm managers and workers watch helplessly. Cattle, [...]

Dear DHS, hire unemployed to look for terrorists in bathtubs

From reader Pat:

I don’t know if you’ve seen this:

This would be wildly expensive and essentially useless Department of Homeland Security funding to stop terrorists from attacking cows and other hideous perils like that.

My own modest proposal–have Homeland Security hire all 14 million of us unemployed–we could begin checking bathtubs around the country [...]

El Nino can trigger tropical civil wars

Weather changes can ignite wars for resources, and climate change is certainly a part of this too.

Research published August 24 in Nature now demonstrates a link between El Niño years and civil war in 93 tropical countries.

Walmart makes huge move into social media / mobile

The tagline of @WalmartLabs is “Social + Mobile + Retail” and it’s an indicator of where Walmart wants to go with the [Kosmix semantic web] technology it acquired. Walmart wants to tap into social data – for example from Twitter – and entice mobile phone toting customers to its stores. Walmart also wants [...]

Gunwalker scandal: ATF director resigns

But he wasn’t fired – and should have been – as he was the top person during the Fast and Furious gunrunning scandal

That he was transferred to Justice instead of being sacked is a travesty

Cracks in Libya National Transitional Council

Misrata rebels (rather sensibly) are protesting a decision by the NTC to install a Gaddafi loyalist as head of security in Tripoli, saying if it happens, they will refuse to obey the NTC.

My take: civil war is coming to Libya. The NTC isn’t a real coalition, and the stress fractures are already showing. The [...]

Lefties weep at failures of the left. How wonderfully liberal of them

Why won’t America embrace the left?

In two centuries, the movement’s history in America is plagued by failure. An expert explains why

So emotes Salon, forgetting the huge and succesful labor battles of the early 20th century that led to the 40 hour week, safety regulations, employers helping to pay for health care, and other [...]