Three Quick Hits posted by Ben

Today's big one, of course, is Part 2 of Testing Evolution, which will go up once I'm finished writing it later today. For the nonce, however, take a look at the following items. Click the header for full commentary.

Poorest Face Most Risk on Social Security
When has one of Bush's policies not created a greater burden for America's poor? It's already quite clear that our president has no clue how difficult it can be to survive, much less support a family, for those who haven't been raised in an atmosphere of entitlement.

Bush argues that personal accounts are the only way to guarantee all workers -- but especially those with low incomes -- generous Social Security benefits in the future. The reason, he says, is there is no way the government can fulfill its current promises without raising taxes or borrowing trillions of dollars because, starting in 2018, Americans will be taking more money out of the system in the form of benefits than they are contributing through payroll taxes. Bush envisions the personal accounts generating enough profit from investments in stocks and bonds to offset future reductions in guaranteed benefits.

Bush neglects to mention that his plan will require borrowing trillions of dollars far earlier than 2018. He also forgets that there has been significant doubt raised, even within his own party, about exactly when or if Social Security will become insolvent. See More on Social Security for the details.

Global Warming Could Worsen U.S. Pollution: Report
Once again, if it isn't what Bush wants to hear, then he'll just bring in his own pet scientists, ones vetted by the energy and utilities industry.

Global warming could stifle cleansing summer winds across parts of the northern United States over the next 50 years and worsen air pollution, U.S. researchers said on Saturday.

For how long will our government be able to ignore the devastation that climate change will cause? At some point even the corporations will have to realize that if they destroy their environment, their profits might go down. Or will they? I'll have more to say about this when I finish reading Collapse.

IFILM - Movies: A Scanner Darkly
On a final, happier note, Richard Linklater's adaptation of Phillip K. Dick's A Scanner Darkly just released a trailer on iFilm.com. Especially for those who enjoyed the groundbreaking rotoscoping used in Waking Life, this looks like a real treat! Ain't It Cool News has the commentary here.

I'm trying something new with my formatting here. Headers appear on the main page, with full commentary available through the title or "Link to Full Article" links. Does this help ease eyestrain on the main page, or should I put the full text of my posts where it's obvious to even the most casual vistors?