Glaxo, baby

GlaxoSmithKline CEO Andrew Witty seeks to rebrand the Pharma giant with a raft of humanising proposals

Throbgoblins International let out a round of applause, a gasp of disbelief and a burp of rather tart cynicism.

A Fair C.O.P.

It might sound like Rex Tillerson is making a significant concession in recognising the reality of anthropogenic global warming and his industry's part in it. but, in the build up to Copenhagen, in the middle of a financial meltdown, Exxon seem to be seizing the initiative by putting their weight behind carbon taxation and against international regulation. That way they can stall meaningful action untill the public rebel and elect another bunch of redneck half-wits. Or am I being cynical?

That's not to say that Throbgoblins International are opposed to the idea of carbon taxation. Those pesky externals certainly do need internalising. But a toolbox that contains only hammers is no bloody use to anyone.

For those unfamiliar with the reference . it is to the story of Sweeny Todd - the Demon Barber of Fleet Street - who killed his customers so that his mistress could turn them into pies.

Servicing business

No particular news link here - just generic Frankness. Inspired by a flier for the Gobsmacking Maplecroft Political Risk Report which was kindly forwarded to me by Dave Hampton (the Carbon Coach) as a suitable case for satire.
Thanks also to Jeremy Hardy for planting a seed.

But...in the news:-
A massive crackdown on pesticides is (provisionally) announced by the EU.
A massive crackdown on scientific illiteracy is announced by Barack Obama

The Met Office warns of catastrophic temperature rises

Israel's ongoing plans to destroy the Palestinian people continue apace

The new Manchester Climate Fortnightly (McFly) is available for downlaod.

Status Quo

We are being warned of the threat posed by eco-terrorists, including - so it seems - the Kingsnorth climate campers. In an obvious attempt to head off the idea that direct action is legitimate - as was lawfully upheld in the case of the Kingsnorth six - the "security" forces seek to frighten would-be activists with the accusation of terrorism. This looks like the worst kind of cold war nonsense. I remember the tabloid stories about Spetznatz commandos at the Greenham Common Peace camp, which gave us all a good laugh and may even have fooled the odd half-mad ex-colonel or knuckle dragging flag-waver. This seems pure politics of the 40 minute WMD variety. I wonder where they actually draw the line that separates the extremist from the good compliant citizen. Only following orders, guv!

What might they make of the wild extremism of the Manchester Climate Fortnightly? It's out today. See for yourself. Be careful. You might make a difference.
Also out is the inaugural New Earth Rising from EI.

Meanwhile...we are offered nuclear sheds and genetically modified bees as General Motors threatens to go tits-up and we kill some mockingbirds

Raveheart

The Scottish assembly plans to unite the Celtic fringe in resisting Westminster's imposition of GM crops on/in their soil, whilst the Global Crop Diversity Trust are amassing a data and skills base to provide growers with "Climate Proof" crops for when the shit hits the fan. How Genetically Modified plants will ultimately fit into that scenario is, of course, hotly debated. Throbgoblins International would like to see the patent laws of the United States withdrawn from the field so that sense can be extracted. In the spirit of impending doom, we are pretty free with our own intellectual copyright, and would like to see Monsanto, BASF et al join the party

They can take our lives but they cannot take our FREEEEEEDOOOOOMMM! Sounds like a pretty poor deal to me.

Money for Nothing

The emissions permit scheme designed to help the planet only seems to be benefittiing the polluters. The facts speak for themselves.

The Only Planet, Manchester, featured in the cartoon, is being officially launched at the Sandbar, Grosvenor St, Manchester on Wednesday 17th September from 8pm- so if you're within range please come along and support it.