flipping a molecular light switch= slippery surface, America can do better then Richard Pombo

Changing a surface from sticky to slippery could now be as easy as flipping a molecular light switch

Changing a surface from sticky to slippery could now be as easy as flipping a molecular light switch. Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created an "optically switchable" material that alters its surface characteristics when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. The new material, which is described in the June 19 issue of the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, could have a wide variety of applications, from a protein filter for biological mixtures to a tiny valve on a "lab-on-a-chip."

Pretty amazing achievement and while a long ways from the humanoids in the last Terminator movie that is what it reminds me of. You start with a substance that has certain qualities like solidity, flip a switch and suddenly it is a liquid. Or even changing the properties of a solid on the fly from something that is very hard and impermeable to something softer could have tremendous uses in surgery.

Richard Pombo is part of America's culture of cronyism and corruption, Abramoff’s Donations To Pombo Pay Off

While the Senate Indian Affairs Committee has issued subpoenas and conducted an investigation into Jack Abramoff’s dirty dealings with his tribal clients, House Resources Chairman Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) has decided to do nothing. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), a member of the Resources committee that has sole jurisidiction over the Marianas, has continually petitioned Pombo for an investigation, to no avail.

Pombo Pushes Endangered Species Act Propaganda

Richard Pombo, chair of the House Resources Committee, who is now pushing for legislation to “modernize” the Environmental Species Act, had this to say in support of his position:

The Endangered Species Act’s less than 1 percent success rate for species recovery is a well-documented and readily-available statistic, but the status of the remaining species on its list has not been as clear until now. … The ESA has not achieved its original intent of recovering species. In fact, there is little evidence of progress in the law’s 30-year history.

The non-profit group Environmental Defense sets the record straight:

A peer-reviewed analysis, posted on the web site of the scientific journal Ecology Letters, concludes that more than 50% of U.S. species listed as endangered before 2000, and almost two-thirds of species listed for 13 or more years, have stabilized or are improving. Further, species whose recovery efforts received significant funding are more likely to be improving.

Pombo always seems willing to cover up investigations into unethical or illegal activities of his friends while finding time to spew falsehoods about the environment ( an area he is supposed to be an expert on). So how can we get rid of this rapscallion wart that takes a fat paycheck for representing his fatcat friends at taxpayer expense? Support Jerry McNerney – Democratic Candidate – for California's 11th Congressional District

Jerry was inspired to run for the US House of Representatives by his son Michael, who sought and received a commission in the Air Force in response to the 9/11 attacks. Jerry spoke about his concerns with his son Michael, that since he and other brave young Americans were willing to risk their lives in defense of this nation, they deserved better leadership than they were getting from Washington. Just weeks before the 2004 primary election, Michael alerted Jerry to the fact that no Democrat was on the primary ballot and that Richard Pombo would be unopposed in the general election. Michael suggested Jerry serve his country by running for office. Jerry, with a deep sense of duty accepted the challenge and registered as a write-in candidate for the Democratic primary. From there, he went on to win the Democratic Party's nomination and received nearly 104,000 votes in the general election the most votes ever received by a challenger to Pombo.

Even if you don't live in Jerry's district you can support him at the netroots; the more postive buzz we can create about Jerry the better. It won't hurt to bring Pombo's connections to corruption and his abysmal environmental record to the public's attention.