MNN - Mother Nature Network

We made it through another week! Enjoy your weekend, I'll see you back here on Monday. Here are a few good stories to go out on.

- Oh my science. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is using actual science to evaluate plans for things like oil drilling and removing animals from the Endangered Species Act.

[Envirowonk]

- Republican Senator, and all around enemy of the planet, James Inhofe (OK), is never one to let truth get in the way of keeping his campaign coffers stuffed with corporate campaign contributions. He just put out a press release filled with lies and misstatements.

[Gristmill]

- A South Dakota House committee voted down a bill that would have created a special class of "animal rights terrorism", complete with beefed up sentencing. The idea is beyond stupid; there's no comparison between a real terrorist and some overzealous college kid breaking into animal testing facilities to open the cages and spray paint PETA logos on the walls. We stand the risk of diluting what it means to be a terrorist if everyone gets labeled as such.

[Green is the New Red]

- Lloyd Alter is right, Obama needs to tell the GOP to drop dead. Thomas Paine said "Lead, follow, or get out of the way." The Republicans lost in November, so they can't lead. That leaves them with two good options to take- follow, or get out of the way. If they decide to get in the way, they need to get kicked over.

[Treehugger]