If Obama Triggers Blackouts, GOP Triggers Apocalypse

The accusation that Obama triggers blackouts may be unfounded, but climate deniers may well trigger a climate apocalypse.

Alex Jones and the site Infowars today fired a scathing accusation at the Obama Administration: “the rolling blackouts now being implemented in Texas and across the country as record cold weather grips the United States are a direct consequence of the Obama administration’s agenda to lay siege to the coal industry, launch a takeover of infrastructure under the contrived global warming scam, and help usher in the post-industrial collapse of America.”

The site insists that the power shortages incurred as a result of the extreme weather enveloping most of country in the Blizzard of 2011 are actually part of a plan on behalf of the Obama administration to bankrupt the coal industry and send the U.S. energy infrastructure toward disaster. “The Obama administration is conducting industrial warfare against the United States,” the site claims.

To back up their claim, they take twelve seconds—a single sentence—completely out of context from an interview President Obama gave in 2008 about the possibility of introducing a cap and trade system to curb carbon emissions.

Both the 12-second clip and a bigger segment of the interview that provides the full context are listed below. In the 12-second clip, Obama says, “So, if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant they can, but it will bankrupt them because they’re going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that’s being emitted.”

In the same interview, he says “The notion of ‘no coal,’ I think, is an illusion.” He discusses a hypothetical future in which cap and trade is imposed to motivate coal energy providers to figure out how to sequester and store their carbon emissions instead of releasing it into the environment. In that hypothetical future, coal providers who choose to dump all of their emissions into the environment instead of figuring out how to sequester them to provide “clean coal” energy would be bankrupted by stiff fees. He’s discussing establishing motivating markets, not bankrupting them.

In any case, we don’t have a cap and trade system. No legislation of the sort has been passed. In reality, Obama’s effectiveness at regulating traditional energy giants has been so small that his Administration couldn’t trigger rolling blackouts if they wanted to.

Infowars’ argument is all backwards: In reality, the energy policy that has allowed coal energy to spew ungodly amounts of emissiosn into the environment without any oversight has led to climate change, which led to this year’s brutal blizzard, which turn led to the blackouts.

The accusation that Obama triggers blackouts may be unfounded—but the climate deniers may well trigger a climate apocalypse.

Britney Spears' Femme Fatale 'Not Done,' Dr. Luke Says 'We're in the middle of it right now,' producer says of March 15 release.

With a little more than five weeks left until the release of Femme Fatale, it seems that Britney Spears is still working alongside the album's executive producers, Dr. Luke and Max Martin, to put the finishing touches on the album.

"We're in the middle of it right now. It's a little bit fluid right now. I can't even say at this stage what songs for sure are making it and what songs aren't," Dr. Luke told RollingStone.com. "We're working with a lot of producers and overseeing it with her A&R and record label and management and trying to make something cohesive." Bottom line, he said, is that "it's not done."

Not to worry: Spears apparently is so speedy when it comes to hitting the studio, Luke has no qualms that they'll make the March 15 deadline. "Britney's really fast," Dr. Luke said. "She gets it done."

The super-producer also opened up about the album's debut single, "Hold It Against Me," noting that it was meant for another pop princess: "We might have played it for her, but it definitely wasn't a Katy Perry record," he explained. "We had it for a while. I wanted to make sure it didn't sound like everything else I've done. I brought it into [producer] Billboard, and he just killed it. It can be hard in the verse, and the bridge is super, super hard, but the chorus is super pop. You can play that chorus acoustically on a guitar and it's still going to sound great."

Others producers on the album include Bloodshy and Benny Blanco. Dr. Luke took to Twitter to tease fans with possible track titles for the release. He shared, "One of these titles could be a new brit song: a) booga dooga b) the sun is up c) seal it with a kiss d) monkey c monkey do."

Other reported titles are leaking as well. According to a posting on Popjustice.com, other Femme Fatale tracks might include "Antidote" (described as a Ke$ha-esque dance track), "Switch You On" (a mid-tempo song about sex) and "I I I Wanna Go O O" (another dance track).

Are you excited for Britney's new album? Tell us in the comments!

Pasadena education foundation benefits from McDonald's tourney

A local education foundation recently celebrated the fundraising success of its McDonald’s Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament.

Pasadena ISD Education Foundation President Bill Barmore recently was presented with a $145,000 check by McDonald’s Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament chair Ben Meador.

This annual tournament raises money for the Pasadena ISD Education Foundation, which funds grants for the district’s teachers and other educational projects.

According to the press release, over the past decade, the tournament has generated about $700,000. The 2010 tournament's economic impact was a record $2 million, and the estimated impact from the 2009 tournament was $1.5 million.

During the ceremony, Meador and Darla Haygood, the tournament’s organizing committee, honored Frank and Pat Braden with the Volunteer of the Year Award.

Maria Schneider, 'Last Tango in Paris' star famous for butter scene, dead at 58 after 'long illness'

Guillot/Getty; United Artists

Maria Schneider (l.), star of 'Last Tango in Paris' (r.), died at the age of 58 in Paris on Thursday morning.

Maria Schneider, the French star of "Last Tango in Paris," has died at the age of 58.

The actress, who was 19 when she starred opposite 48-year-old Marlon Brando in Bernardo Bertolucci's 1972 film, died Thursday morning in Paris after a "long illness," a source close to the actress told Agence-France Press.

According to people.com, she had suffered from cancer.

Schneider was the daughter of French actor Daniel Gelin and French model and bookstore owner Marie-Christine Schneider.

The part in "Last Tango in Paris" was only her second screen role. The movie went on to gain notoriety for its sexual content, including several full-frontal nude scenes of Schneider and graphic sex scenes with Brando, including an infamous scene involving butter.

In 2007, Schenider told the Daily Mail she felt "humiliated" by that particular moment in the film.

"I felt a little raped, both by Marlon and by Bertolucci," she told the British newspaper. "After the scene, Marlon didn't console me or apologize. Thankfully, there was just one take."

Four years later, Schneider abandoned the "Caligula" film set to check into a mental hospital in Rome, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. She was reportedly dismissed from the film soon after due to her unannounced departure and her refusal to do nude scences.

Though Schneider could never reclaim the fame she earned from "Last Tango," she starred opposite Jack Nicholson in "The Passenger" in 1975.

Her most recent role was a supporting part in 2008 in a romantic drama called "Cliente."

Funeral details will reportedly be announced soon

Local band takes stage at Humble ISD Livestock Show & Rodeo

The Humble ISD Livestock Show & Rodeo is broadening its musical horizons this year from typical country and Texas bluegrass to surprisingly, electronic-pop.

Three Houston men, Jake Carfield, Jason Barton and Vincent Sol Campos, formed the band iDreaminstereo, after discovering each other’s musical talents at work in the restaurant business. All three work for the Chuy’s Tex-Mex chain of restaurants in Humble and Houston and were friends first, then discovered shared musical talents.

Carfield sings lead vocals and is currently finding there is a steep learning curve with self-taught electric guitar. Barton plays guitar and does back beats, along with Sol Campos, whose roles include piano, bass and acting as the group’s manager.

The three bonded over their love of music and once they found that Carfield could carry a tune, the band was set in motion. Their musical influences are broad, ranging from the Beatles to new wave bands like MGMT, the Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie.

“The age of technology in music moves fast and we have spent a lot of time teaching ourselves new methods and making cool sounds and music that people may have never heard before,” said Carfield.

iDreaminstereo is still local, playing at restaurants and local charity events, but really hope that playing a large audience at the rodeo, where people may not have heard their music before, could project their band into a larger market.

The group plans on releasing an EP/demo of six songs in the next few months and will be playing more shows in 2011 throughout the Houston area.

iDreaminstereo will be playing at the Humble Rodeo BBQ cook-off on Saturday, Feb. 5. To hear some of their songs, learn more about the band or for contact information, visit www.facebook.com/idreaminstereo.

Photo: From left is Jason Barton, Vincent Sol Campos and Jake Carfield of iDreaminstereo.

The latest on snow affected events - closings and cancellations

Tribune

REVISED 2:30 p.m. Thursday Feb. 3

Humble ISD

Humble ISD has canceled all after school activities for Thursday, Feb. 3. Schools and offices will operate on their usual Thursday schedules today. Thursday, Feb. 3, 10:45 AM

Humble ISD has canceled all after school activities for Thursday, Feb. 3. This includes the YMCA After-School Program. Schools and offices will operate on their usual Thursday schedules today. Please be alert for updates as this weather situation continues to develop. Go to www.humble.k12.tx.us for more information.

Ross Sterling Middle School's 6th & 7th Grade Parent Course Selection Orientation scheduled for Thursday, February 3, at 6:30pm has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 10, at 6:30p.m. The PTA trip to Austin for Thursday, Feb. 3, has been canceled due to the weather. The senior dinner benefit for KPHS Project Graduation has been rescheduled to Thursday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m.. Tickets are still available. North Belt Elementary Science Circus Night scheduled for Feb. 3 has been postponed. The new date is Thursday, Feb. 17, at North Belt Elementary from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for NBE students and parents.

Humble ISD Athletic officials continue to monitor the weather. Here is the latest news regarding athletic events. For Friday, Feb. 4: Outdoor events are canceled EXCEPT for varsity soccer, which remains on at this time. Basketball games remain scheduled. Updated information will be posted here Friday morning if any changes are made. For Saturday, Feb. 5: Varsity district games, if postponed, will be made up on Saturday, weather permitting. No sub-varsity games will be made up.

KSA Parks Committee - CANCELLED

The KSA Parks Committee, originally set for 7 p.m. tonight, Feb. 3, has been canceled The Parks committee will meet next on Thursday, March 3.

Pankakes for Kids Breakfast - CANCELLED

Lake Houston Chamber of Commerce Pankakes for Kids Breakfast, originally set for Friday, Feb. 4 from 7-9 a.m. at the Humble Civic Center, has been canceled It will be rescheduled at a later date. Everyone should hold on to their tickets and use them at the new scheduled time.

Kingwood Tea Party - CANCELLED

Sen. Williams' Town Hall with the Kingwood Tea Party, originally set for Thursday, Feb 3 at 7 p.m. at Los Cucos in Kingwood, has been canceled The meeting will be rescheduled at a later date. The Tea Party will meet next on Monday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.

Lonestar College-Kingwood

All LSCS campuses will close today, Thursday, Feb. 3, at 5 p.m. There will be no evening activities. At this time, no decision has been made in regards to tomorrow. For further updates, please check their website at www.lonestar.edu/kingwood

BRIDGEFEST WILL BE HELD

The 19th annual YMCA Bridge Fest 5K will be held sun or snow, Feb. 5, 2011. The /2 Mile Kid's Race, 6 & under is at 7:45 a.m.; 1-Mile Kid's Race, 7 - 10 � 8 a.m.; 1-Mile Kid's Race, 11 - 14 8:30 a.m.; 5K Family Run & Walk 9 a.m.; Awards Ceremony 10 a.m. The Kiwanis Golf Ball Drop will be held athe conclusion of Bridge Fest.

Deerbrook Mall

Deerbrook Mall management said that as of noon, Thursday, Feb 3, the mall will continue to have regular mall hours. This may change as the weather changes.

Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines will suspend most of its operations to and from Houston IAH today, Feb. 3, starting at 6 p.m. until Friday, Feb. 4 at 12 noon. Many flights have already been cancelled. Please check your flight status at Continental.com. The following cities will experience delays due to weather: Austin, San Antontio, and Houston IAH.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is suspending all flights in and out of Hobby Airport at 6:15 p.m. Thursday. They hope to resume normal operations by 11:30 a.m. Friday.

Cots will be provided for stranded travelers and at least one restaurant and shop will remain open. There are no plans to close Hobby or Bush IAH, according to airport spokeswoman Marlene McClinton.

TxDOT BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES HAVE BEEN PRE-TREATED TO MINIMIZE FREEZING

"Presently all TxDOT roadways in the Houston District area are open and safe to travel." The Galveston Causeway, Fred Hartman and San Jacinto bridges are open and safe for travel. TxDOT does not anticipate closing any roadways. If a closure is required, an official notice will come from TxDOT. Any unnecessary travel on roadways is discouraged. Motorists can stay informed of road conditions in the Houston District as well as statewide, by calling our hotline at (800) 452-9292 or visit http://www.dot.state.tx.us/travel/road_conditions.htm

Municipal Court Closure - Inclement Weather

Due to anticipated severe weather conditions, The City of Houston Municipal Courts Department will close as of 4 p.m., today, Thursday, February 3, 2011 and will remain closed Friday, February 4, 2011. Entrance to the building at 1400 Lubbock will be allowed for jail bonding services only. The Courts will reopen Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 8 a.m. Individuals who are scheduled to appear in court will have the opportunity to reset their case(s).

INDIVIDUALS SCHEDULED FOR ARRAIGNMENT (FIRST APPEARANCE):

To reschedule case(s) citizens must appear in person, at any Municipal Court location, beginning Monday, February 7, 2011, through Friday, February 11, 2011.

There are various options available online and by mail:

- Request a trial setting.

- Request the Driving Safety Course (DSC) by mail.

- Submit proof of compliance by mail.

- Pay fines online.

INDIVIDUALS SCHEDULED FOR TRIAL:

To reschedule case(s) citizens must appear in person, at any Municipal Court location, beginning Monday, February 7, 2011, through Friday, February 11, 2011.

Visit the court's website: www.houstontx.gov/courts to download the required DSC forms and Request for Trial forms. We will accept items postmarked through February 11, 2011.

INDIVIDUALS SCHEDULED FOR JURY SERVICE:

Those individuals scheduled for Jury Service Friday, February 4, 2011 will be rescheduled. Jury Service will resume Monday, February 7, 2011.

Individuals are reminded that payments can be made as follows:

Online at www.houstontx.gov/courts

Via Western Union (use code Ticket Texas)

By mail (P.O. Box 4996, Houston, Texas 77210-4996)

IF INDIVIDUALS FAIL TO RESET OR RESOLVE THEIR CASES DURING THE PERIOD OUTLINED HEREIN, A WARRANT FOR ARREST MAY BE ISSUED.

Houston Museum of Natural Science

Due to the expected inclement weather in the area, the Houston Museum of Natural Science will be closing early today, Thursday, Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. However, the Museum will be open tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Museum will be returning to its standard hours of operation beginning Saturday. For updated information regarding Museum operating hours, visit the Museum's web site at www.hmns.org

The Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo will close today at 3 p.m. For those hoping to visit with children during Friday's day off of school: The Zoo will announce tonight after 8 p.m. what tomorrow's hours will be.

VA Medical Center and Outpatient Clinics Open on February 4, 2011

The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Outpatient Clinics at Richmond and Conroe will be open for normal operations on Friday, February 4, 2011. The Galveston VA Outpatient Clinic will remain operational for walk in appointments only. Veterans will be contacted by clinic staff to reschedule cancelled appointments as soon as possible. Veterans who need medical advice should call the VA Network Telecare Center Hotline at (713) 794-8985 or toll-free 1-800-639-5137. Registered nurses, pharmacists, and administrative clerks at the VA Network Telecare Center are ready to answer veteran health care questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The VA Network Telecare Center is not for life-threatening emergencies. Veterans with life-threatening emergencies should immediately call 911.

Area School Closings

Houston ISD spokesman Norm Uhl said all HISD schools will be closed Friday due to expected snowfall of two to five inches in the Greater Houston area.

Alief ISD: Friday classes cancelled, all after school activities cancelled Thursday Alvin ISD: all extra-curricular activites cancelled Thursday Amigos Por Vida Charter School: Early dismissal today at 1:30 pm Anahuac ISD: Closed Thursday and Friday ANGLETON ISD: EARLY DISMISSAL--2 HOURS EARLY--ON THURSDAY. ALL AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES CANCELLED. Barbers Hill ISD: Closing early on Thursday; Secondary students -11:30am, elementary students - 12:30pm BAY AREA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: Closing at 12:20 PM; For Feb. 3, Also no After School Care Bayshore Elementary: Closing at 1:10 PM Boling ISD: Early release at noon at all campuses. Start at 10 am Friday. Brazos ISD: Closed Friday, Feb. 4 only. Crosby ISD: High schools and middle schools close at 11:30 Thurs; remaining campuses at 12:30pm Cypress-Fairbanks ISD: Closed Friday, February 4. After school activities canceled today. Dallas Theological Seminary: Classes canceled Thursday EAGLE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY: Thurs, Feb 3rd - no after school care or after school activities. Fri, Feb 4th - school closed EAST CHAMBERS ISD: Early Release at 2:00pm February 3, 2011 East Chambers ISD: Early release 2PM Thursday Fort Bend ISD: Dismissal one hour early Thursday Friendswood ISD: All campuses dismiss one hour early on Thursday, buses run one hour early Galveston ISD: Elementary schools out @ 1:15. High schools out @ 2:00. Middle schools out @ 2:15 pm. Closed Friday. GOOSE CREEK CISD: Closing Two Hours Early. All after school activities canceled on Thursday. Hitchcock ISD: Kids First HeadStart: 11 am. Crosby MS: 11:50. Hitchcock HS: 12 pm. Stewart ES/Hitchcock Primary: 1p HOUSTON ALTERNATIVE PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL: Preparatory Academy of Houston Campus Noon Dismissal Today; Closed on Friday the 4th. HOUSTON HEIGHTS LEARNING ACADEMY INC: Closing at 2:00 PM Houston ISD: Closed Friday, After school activities cancelled Thursday. Classes cancelled Friday. Humble ISD: All after school activities canceled today. IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL: Closing at 11:30, Thurs.; No school on Friday.; No after school care on Thurs. or Fri. LA PORTE ISD: WILL RELEASE STUDENTS TWO HOURS EARLY THURSDAY, ALL ACTIVITES CANCELLED La Porte ISD: Dismiss students two hours early Thursday; Extracurricular activities canceled Thursday, Friday LAMAR CISD: EARLY DISMISSAL THURSDAY. NO AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVIES ODYSSEY ACADEMY INC: Closing at 1:15 PM; OA Will also be closed Friday, Feb. 4th. PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL: Early Dismissal at 2 p.m. on Thursday. All After School activities cancelled. School Closed Friday Spring Branch ISD: no extra-curricular activities Thursday ST MARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL: Early dismissal 2/3. Closed 2/4. St. Mark's Episcopal School: All after school activities canceled today. Closed tomorrow. St. Stephen's Episcopal School: Dismissal at noon on Thursday and no school Friday Stafford MSD: All schools will dismiss following the early dismissal schedule; All afterschool activities for Thursday and before-school activities for Friday are cancelled SUGARGROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: Thursday, early dismissal at 2:00 PM, afterschool care canceled Texas A&M University at Galveston: Campus closing at 5pm, will remain closed Friday Texas City ISD: All after school activities canceled today. THE BRANCH SCHOOL: Closing at 2:00 PM; No evening activities The Rhodes School: closed Thursday The Woodlands Christian Academy: Closed Friday, February 4. Extended care also closed Friday, February 4. TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL: Trinity Lutheran Downtown closing at 1PM Thursday WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Closing at noon on Thursday, Reopen Monday Westwood College - Houston South: Classes for Thursday evening canceled, expect Friday classes to be cancelled WHARTON ISD: EARLY DISMISSAL AT NOON THURSDAY. ALL EXTRACURRICULAR EVENTS CANCELLED

TheFader.com: Hey Cheeseheads: Arguably, Wiz Khalifa has given the Pittsburgh Steelers a big advantage in this weekend’s Superbowl. The whole country loves and is singing his song, as if the script for the final scene of a Black and Yellow victory has already been choreographed. So, the good news this Thursday morning is that ESPN Blogger Lil Wayne is working to let all fans in on that collective effervescence and to level the playing field. He’s doing it either because he’s really a huge Greenbay fan or because the Saints and Falcons are done anyway and he’s in support of fair play in general. More than a couple times free Weezy says this is not a diss song, and that sense of good will seems extended to Wiz too— Wayne doesn’t dive in to the song too hard, maintaining the integrity of Wiz’s moment and rips a big Khalifa-type smoke break inhale before saying a word. Hope being called a long hair don’t care makes Clay Matthews feels appreciated and bold, that all the dudes on both teams play a great game on Sunday night.