Ends and odds, 1/29/07

Roundup of stuff:

Can we produce ethanol by using less energy? Maybe so.

A Cincinnati Enquirer sports columnist asks a good question about priorities at the University of Cincinnati.

From The New York Times:
PARIS, Jan 29 — Scientists from across the world gathered here today to hammer out the final details of an authoritative report on climate change that is expected to project centuries of rising temperatures and sea levels unless curbs are placed on emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.
One thing about climate change: If it really is caused by human activities, then those are the same activities that have produced our standard of living. China and India want the same standard of living. A political solution is not likely, so it would seem that the solution to climate change (or global warming) will be more of an engineering or technical problem than a political one. I look forward to seeing this report. I hope I can understand it once I see it. I hope natural causes are given just consideration in the question of what causes climate change. As I have said before -- or have tried to say -- I have no doubt the climate is changing. I just don't trust articles that take a "thus saith the Lord" stand as to the cause and effect.

Update:

McDonald's has decided on a trans-fat free oil for its french fries. I haven't had a fry or a potato chip since July 16, 2006. I'm a slight bit thinner, but not much. And I really don't miss either one unless I start craving salt.

Ari Fleischer disputes Scooter Libby's timeline on Plame unmasking. Okay, a show of hands. How many people outside Washington really care about this one? Three years from now, how many people inside Washington will really care?