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‘Ice Bumps’ Reveal History of Antarctic Melting: Scientists (Maria)
The author writes, “Scientists say they now have a better idea of exactly where and when the margin of Antarctica started melting. They’ve traced the changing shapes of bumps on the ice surface that mark locations where glaciers are anchored in place. Half a century ago, few of these frozen moorings, or ‘pinning points.’ showed much change. Since 2000, however, more than a third have reduced in size, emphasizing the acceleration in melting.”
‘My Ultimate and Absolute Revenge’: Trump Gives Chilling CPAC Speech on Presidential Agenda (Reader Jim)
The author writes, “Donald Trump styled himself as a ‘proud political dissident’ and promised ‘judgment day’ for political opponents in an address on Saturday that offered a chilling vision of a democracy in imminent peril. In classic carnival barker form, the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination accused Joe Biden of weaponizing the government against him with ‘Stalinist show trials.’ He pledged to crack down on border security and deliver the biggest deportation in US history if he wins the 5 November election.”
MAGA Republican Pledges ‘End of Democracy’ to Rabid Cheers at CPAC (DonkeyHotey)
The author writes, “Conservative activist Jack Posobiec joyfully hailed the ‘end of democracy’ at the Conservative Political Action Conference, further emphasizing Republicans’ apparent desire to completely overthrow America as we know it. Posobiec, who helped popularize the ‘Pizzagate’ conspiracy theory, appeared at CPAC’s opening day on Wednesday. … ‘Welcome to the end of democracy. We are here to overthrow it completely,’ Posobiec said as the event began.”
Senate Leader Prepared To Let Monday ‘Ballot Dump’ Measure Die Despite Previous Support (Al)
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu is signaling he won’t seek a vote on a bill that would allow election clerks to start processing absentee ballots the day before Election Day despite once authoring the proposal himself. By refusing to bring the bill to the floor before lawmakers adjourn for the year, Senate Republicans are leaving open the door to more false claims by former President Donald Trump about the integrity of Wisconsin’s elections.”
Trump Wants To Unravel Biden’s Landmark Climate Law. Here Is What’s Most at Risk. (Gerry)
From MIT Technology Review: “President Joe Biden’s crowning legislative achievement was enacting the Inflation Reduction Act, easily the nation’s largest investment into addressing the rising dangers of climate change. Yet Donald Trump’s advisors and associates have clearly indicated that dismantling the landmark law would sit at the top of the Republican front-runner’s to-do list should he win the presidential election. If he succeeds, it could stall the nation’s shift to cleaner industries and stunt efforts to cut the greenhouse-gas pollution warming the planet.”
76% of Supply Chain Operations Are Facing a Workforce Shortage (Russ and Sean)
The author writes, “The supply chain and workforce that make up the sector are constantly evolving. Labor shortages in transportation and warehousing are quick to make headlines, but job opportunities across the supply chain continue to go unfilled despite promising pay and benefits. A study of over 1,000 industry decision-makers by Descartes found that 76% of today’s supply chain operations are experiencing notable workforce shortages, with 37% of respondents characterizing the resource shortage they face as high to extreme.”
Inside Scientists’ Life-Saving Prediction of the Iceland Eruption (Laura)
From Quanta Magazine: “On December 18, a volcanic fissure cleaved the ground to [Grindavík’s] northeast and painted the wintry soil with molten rock. The intense eruption lasted a few days and stayed outside Grindavík. … Grindavík’s residents owe their lives to proactive local authorities, emergency managers, and the study of Earth’s interior. Scientists had been tracking the movement of magma by decoding seismic waves and distortions in the planet’s crust. By mapping the peninsula’s volcanic plumbing, they’re building a better understanding of how volcanism works in general, while also aiming to provide even more precise local forecasts in the future.”
