Nobel Committee Chairman Draws Fire Over Pick - WSJ.com

Norwegian political experts say the 58-year-old [Thorbjørn Jagland], a first-time member of the committee who once served as prime minister and now heads the Council of Europe, which promotes democracy and human rights on the Continent, pressed Mr. Obama's candidacy and played a crucial role in crowning him this year's honoree.
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At the same time, he fiercely defends this year's prize. "If you are not able to make a courageous decision, you cannot help move the world in the right direction," Mr. Jagland said in an interview Thursday from the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. "If you are afraid of criticism or debate, then you shouldn't have that kind of position or be in politics at all."

The Obama prize has generated debate and become an instant punch line around the world. When David Beckham was named "man of the match" in England's World Cup qualifying soccer game this week despite playing for just 30 minutes, his coach, Fabio Capello, mocked the honor as being "like Obama getting the Nobel Prize."

Who is Thorbjorn Jagland? Obama’s Nobel patron is a long-time leader of Socialist International

From 1999 through 2008, Jagland was vice president of Socialist International. What’s that? It’s exactly what the name suggests – an international organization of socialist groups who advocate for far left policies. It also boasts of “consultative status” with the United Nations.

Unseasonable Weather Plays Havoc on Harvest - Missouri Ruralist

When temperatures fall below 40 degrees, little growth occurs. Photosynthesis slows and then stops with low temperatures and reduced day length. Photosynthesis is the chemical process in which chlorophyll in plants converts carbon dioxide and water into starches and sugars for seed fill.

New York: Global warming fund faces cuts

State environmental groups were still seething over Thursday's announcement by Paterson that he was taking $90 million to help balance the state's troubled budget from the state's share of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the nation's first-ever plan to combat climate change by charging polluters and using the money to encourage alternative energy and conservation.