Saturday, January 31, 2009
A Super Bowl Sunday Break
Meanwhile last years commercials above and some 2009 Super Bowl ads below....Will be back Monday.
The All-New 2009 Corolla - Superbowl Commercial - The best home videos are here
You knew this was coming
General Motors to Invest $1 Billion in Brazil Operations -- Money to Come from U.S. Rescue Program
Did they mean saving jobs in America or Americas?
SAO PAULO -- General Motors plans to invest $1 billion in Brazil to avoid the kind of problems the U.S. automaker is facing in its home market, said the beleaguered car maker.
According to the president of GM Brazil-Mercosur, Jaime Ardila, the funding will come from the package of financial aid that the manufacturer will receive from the U.S. government and will be used to "complete the renovation of the line of products up to 2012."
Did they mean saving jobs in America or Americas?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Michael Steele becomes first black RNC chairman
Michael Steele becomes first black RNC chairman
The news definately has an obsession with a person's race. Just read the headline..
It isn't until you get down to the fourth paragraph that you read:
The article never mentions specifics on why he is more moderate than the other candidates.
Michael Steele on the issues
Steele on McCain Feingold
A little irony in that there is a lawsuit that the RNC filed to overturn the McCain Feingold legislation. H/T Picket Lines
The news definately has an obsession with a person's race. Just read the headline..
It isn't until you get down to the fourth paragraph that you read:
Steele, an attorney, is a conservative, but he was considered the most moderate of the five candidates running.
The article never mentions specifics on why he is more moderate than the other candidates.
Michael Steele on the issues
Steele on McCain Feingold
A little irony in that there is a lawsuit that the RNC filed to overturn the McCain Feingold legislation. H/T Picket Lines
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Palling Around With Terrorists
Another MSNBC babe gets it wrong. Palin didn't call Obama a terrorist, just the fact that he was palling around with one.
Newsbusters has the story on it.
Newsbusters has the story on it.
The Dog and Pony Show on Troopergate
Today the Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings on Attorney Talis Colberg's decision to represent 7 state employees who had been subpoenaed by a Legislative action.
The ADN writes about it here.
There is an appeal on the matter. Until it's decided, Rep Ramras, what you conducted was nothing more than a dog and pony show.
In fact, Rep. Ramras, it shows your lack of respect for the process to be concluded in the Judiciary Branch. If the seven are successful on appeal, then what.
Rep. Dahlstrom seemed to be the only one that had a grip on that fact. And it is evident that Holmes was clueless on the appeal.
Here is the Superior Court's decision.
First, the Superior Court's interpretation on the AG's argument:
What the statute is saying is, that "the chairman of a committee when authorized by the majority of the membership and with the concurrence of the president or the speaker, or with the concurrence of the house and senate" can issue the subpoenas.
The question is on the language of the statute. It states that the speaker or the president has to concur. What Colberg is arguing is that the subpoenas were not properly served or carried a legal force in that the house and senate was not in session to make a ruling on the issue.
Ramras said that the issuing committee did not need the the authority of the house or senate to be in session. When looking at the language, one would have to go back and read the history on the legislation to see the intent. That should be hammered out in the appeal.
It is clear that the statute is including a least one person representing the Legislative body (i.e. Senate President or House Speaker) which would stand to reason that the Legislative body may have to be in session since the statute's intent seems to look for representation of the Legislative body.
It would stand to reason that this would keep a "special committee" from abusing it's special powers on issuing subpoenas.
The complete statute:
Sec. 24.25.010. Issuance and form of subpoena.
(a) A subpoena requiring the attendance of a witness before either house of the legislature may be issued by the president or the speaker.
(b) A subpoena requiring the attendance of a witness before a standing or special committee of the legislature may be issued by the chairman of a committee when authorized to do so by a majority of the membership of the committee and with the concurrence of the president or the speaker, or with the concurrence of the house or the senate.
Ironically, MotherJones published an article on this when it was quoted by them:
One issue that seems to be separate from the appeal is this:
Sound like a place you would want to have a subpoena?
The ADN writes about it here.
There is an appeal on the matter. Until it's decided, Rep Ramras, what you conducted was nothing more than a dog and pony show.
In fact, Rep. Ramras, it shows your lack of respect for the process to be concluded in the Judiciary Branch. If the seven are successful on appeal, then what.
Rep. Dahlstrom seemed to be the only one that had a grip on that fact. And it is evident that Holmes was clueless on the appeal.
Here is the Superior Court's decision.
First, the Superior Court's interpretation on the AG's argument:
AS 24.25.010(b) gives the Senate Judiciary Committee subpoena power: "A subpoena requiring the attendance of a witness before a standing or special committee of the legislature may be issued by the chairman of a committee when authorized to do so by a majority of the membership of the committee and with the concurrence of the president or the speaker, or with the concurrence of the house or the senate." Two sections, AS 24.25.010-020, govern the form and service of subpoenas. The plaintiffs do not assert the subpoenas were deficient on their face or that service was improper. If they were, the Malone decision would not apply to this argument. Malone provided some applicable limiting language: "However, except in extraordinary circumstances, as where the rights of persons who are not members of the legislature are involved, it is not the function of the judiciary to require the legislature follow its own rules." Malone, 650P.2d at 359 (emphasis added).
What the statute is saying is, that "the chairman of a committee when authorized by the majority of the membership and with the concurrence of the president or the speaker, or with the concurrence of the house and senate" can issue the subpoenas.
The question is on the language of the statute. It states that the speaker or the president has to concur. What Colberg is arguing is that the subpoenas were not properly served or carried a legal force in that the house and senate was not in session to make a ruling on the issue.
Ramras said that the issuing committee did not need the the authority of the house or senate to be in session. When looking at the language, one would have to go back and read the history on the legislation to see the intent. That should be hammered out in the appeal.
It is clear that the statute is including a least one person representing the Legislative body (i.e. Senate President or House Speaker) which would stand to reason that the Legislative body may have to be in session since the statute's intent seems to look for representation of the Legislative body.
It would stand to reason that this would keep a "special committee" from abusing it's special powers on issuing subpoenas.
The complete statute:
Sec. 24.25.010. Issuance and form of subpoena.
(a) A subpoena requiring the attendance of a witness before either house of the legislature may be issued by the president or the speaker.
(b) A subpoena requiring the attendance of a witness before a standing or special committee of the legislature may be issued by the chairman of a committee when authorized to do so by a majority of the membership of the committee and with the concurrence of the president or the speaker, or with the concurrence of the house or the senate.
Ironically, MotherJones published an article on this when it was quoted by them:
She says she is exploring various options. The subpoenas cannot be enforced while the House and Senate are out of session, and neither body is due to return to the state capitol until January. Green, who is retiring as a state senator, says she is looking into whether she could call just the Senate back.
The body could vote to instruct the attorney general to change his position; it could vote to impose punishments on those not complying with the subpoenas. But the Republican-controlled House might not be eager to return in order to inconvenience McCain's running mate. (The state Senate has a small Democratic majority; because a Democratic-Republican coalition controls the body, Green, a Republican, is Senate president.)
One issue that seems to be separate from the appeal is this:
The constitution guarantees the right to "fair and just treatment" in legislative investigations. The idea of fairness is an ambiguous and subjective concept. Fairness must be evaluated in the context of the investigation taking place. Because the legislature is a political branch, the expectations of fairness are not the same as the expectations of fairness when dealing with the judicial branch. In evaluating claims of unfair treatment by the legislature, the court must carefully balance the rights of the individuals being investigated while still respecting the province of the legislature.
Sound like a place you would want to have a subpoena?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Pledge of Allegiance Becomes Pledge to Obama
Pledge of Allegiance Becomes Pledge to Obama
A parent in the Clark County School District of Las Vegas, Henderson area reported today that his son, who is in 1st grade, came home yesterday saying that he didn't want to go back to school anymore.
When asked why, the boy said that during the Pledge of Allegiance the teacher put up a large image of Obama next to the flag.
Thinking that the boy might be exaggerating, the man asked his son if he was sure, and suggested that by "large" he might mean an 8x10 photo of the president. The boy apparently said "No, it is a large picture of Obama and when we are done, the teacher turns off the image."
The same thing was not done for President Bush last year.
After investigating this morning, the other parent reported that what the boy said was true.
At least three of the five classrooms have an overhead projector and as the children stand to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, the teacher turns on the classroom overhead and a full body image of Obama, with six U.S. flags behind him, comes up about 4 feet away from the flag that hangs on the wall. The screen is apparently around five feet by six feet.
In the image, President Obama appears to be staring straight out with no facial expression, just a serious look. All of the kids in each class faced the President, instead of the flag that hangs in the corner.
Local parents are up in arms over this situation. Teachers clearly do not realize the gravity of what they are doing.
Today I Received my Obama Stimulus Package
The actual cover of the comic book is above.It seems there is a left handed Obama and a right handed Obama.
I hope its value will offset my tax increases with the growing debt. I should also point out the comic books goes to my daughter. It is an example of how comical politics have become.
The House Vote on the Stimulus Bill
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
The GOP did the right thing and no they are not obstructionists. Joe Trippi is tripp'n, 11 Democrats voted against the package.
Some Get it Some Don't: Palin Gets It
There has been much debate over the leases that Exxon held on to in Point Thomson. Governor Murkowski had started taking the leases back, the reasons were Exxon was not living up to its lease rights.
The Palin administration continued what Murkowski has started. Well a turn of events came about today. The headlines:
Exxon regains two North Slope leases
The meat of the article.
For whatever reason for the change, Palin is starting to get it. And I believe that she is getting advice from people on the Outside and in Washington D.C. that handle political campaigns.
The debut of her political PAC tells me she is getting schooled on the matter.
The Palin administration continued what Murkowski has started. Well a turn of events came about today. The headlines:
Exxon regains two North Slope leases
The meat of the article.
Hoping to hang on to its leases, Exxon last year rolled out a plan to drill wells this winter and start producing by 2014 -- a plan state Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin rejected, saying he couldn't trust Exxon to carry it out.
On Tuesday, however, Irwin made a major policy reversal, issuing a conditional decision allowing Exxon to keep two of the 31 leases at issue on the company's promise to start drilling a pair of wells into those leases right away.
This morning, the state expects to issue Exxon a permit to construct a 50-mile ice road to the remote field on the Arctic Ocean shoreline east of Prudhoe Bay. The road is needed for hauling an enormous drilling rig to the site. The state previously had denied the permit to Exxon.
The Irwin decision has huge impact.
For whatever reason for the change, Palin is starting to get it. And I believe that she is getting advice from people on the Outside and in Washington D.C. that handle political campaigns.
The debut of her political PAC tells me she is getting schooled on the matter.
I Don't Think So
Clinton says world "exhaling" with Obama at top
What is on people's minds is the economy. Not George Bush and frankly the honeymoon is fast coming to an end for Obama.
What is on people's minds is the economy. Not George Bush and frankly the honeymoon is fast coming to an end for Obama.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Gone With The Wind: A 1 trillion dollar debt
Boehner to GOP: Vote against stimulus
It was the love affair that could never be, President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans.
Chris Matthews: Keeping His Eye on Palin
Chris Matthews: “Keep your eye on Palin”
You betcha.....
Matthews said tonight that history could lend itself to a Palin nomination.
“Although there are skeptics, the pattern is clear here,” he said. “When the Republicans get beat running a moderate like Nixon in 1960 or Jerry Ford in 76 or McCain in 08, the next time they tend to go right.
“Goldwater in ‘64, Reagan in ‘80, maybe Palin in ‘12,” he continued. “That’s the pattern. Maybe it’ll change but maybe it won’t. Keep your eye on Palin.”
You betcha.....
Monday, January 26, 2009
Andree Mcleod: A Nice Gal But Misguided on the Complaint
Complaints filed against Palin aides
Andree has filed an ethics complaint against the Palin administration and this one will not go anywhere.
I came to know Andree when she, Jake Metcalfe and I ran in a three way race for school board. I found her to be above board on many things and she brought up an issue of Metcalfe flying to Juneau on public money and attending a fundraiser in Juneau at the time.
The issue had some merit with accountability, but nothing became of it in a legal sense.
We have discussed some things that cover an area that is quoted by McAllister in the article on a vendetta.
As Andree continues to make her claims, it is unfortunate that the "vendetta" claim is being tossed out there by the Governor's office. The Governor's office should just address the issue and say the Governor's administration did nothing wrong.
There is no doubt the Andree thinks she is correct on this matter but she is wrong in her thinking.
There were no ethics laws broken. It's that simple.
Andree has filed an ethics complaint against the Palin administration and this one will not go anywhere.
I came to know Andree when she, Jake Metcalfe and I ran in a three way race for school board. I found her to be above board on many things and she brought up an issue of Metcalfe flying to Juneau on public money and attending a fundraiser in Juneau at the time.
The issue had some merit with accountability, but nothing became of it in a legal sense.
We have discussed some things that cover an area that is quoted by McAllister in the article on a vendetta.
McAllister says McLeod has cost the state $100,000 in public records requests that have uncovered no wrongdoing. He says "at this point all we have is another complaint by a person with an obvious vendetta."
As Andree continues to make her claims, it is unfortunate that the "vendetta" claim is being tossed out there by the Governor's office. The Governor's office should just address the issue and say the Governor's administration did nothing wrong.
There is no doubt the Andree thinks she is correct on this matter but she is wrong in her thinking.
There were no ethics laws broken. It's that simple.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Pulled Pork Cooking
Reading about all of that pork in the stimulus package got me to thinking....
Now I am hungry.....
Now I am hungry.....
Hope Dies When Obama Lies
The headlines: Obama bans earmarks from economic package: Stimulus plan expected to cost about $775 billion
Obama's Stimulus Package sinkhole of earmarks?
Then you have Politico talking up McCain's opinion on Obama's position on earmarks.
Let's move to Palin on the subject of earmarks
Straight and to the point.
However, when it was the presidential campaign season and the rhetoric was flying, who is walking the talk now?
Obama Rebukes Palin On Earmarks Claims
Like I said, hope dies, when Obama lies..... Palin walks the talk.
WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama vowed Tuesday to bar lawmakers' pet projects from his massive economic stimulus plan and to bring unprecedented accountability to federal spending.
Obama's Stimulus Package sinkhole of earmarks?
With political watchdogs already suspecting that Obama and Congress have just found other ways to hide them, it appears that the sinkhole of earmarks will be filled in just a more secretive way.
Then you have Politico talking up McCain's opinion on Obama's position on earmarks.
The only reference that McCain made to Obama during Tuesday’s session was praise for Obama’s promise to exclude earmarks from the upcoming $775 billion economic stimulus package. “That’s very encouraging,” McCain said.
Let's move to Palin on the subject of earmarks
The governor has recommended five specific projects for the stimulus package, all of them in accordance with previous guidelines requiring that any individual spending requests must be in the national interest. Those projects are infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the natural gas pipeline, which will bring clean fuel to Lower 48 markets, and the Kodiak Launch Facility, which is important for the nation's defense. While the latest comments in D.C. suggest that no earmarks will be accepted, the governor is hopeful that the extraordinary nature of these national-interest projects will allow their inclusion.
Straight and to the point.
However, when it was the presidential campaign season and the rhetoric was flying, who is walking the talk now?
Obama Rebukes Palin On Earmarks Claims
"I know the governor of Alaska has been saying she's change, and that's great," Obama said. "She's a skillful politician. But, you know, when you've been taking all these earmarks when it's convenient, and then suddenly you're the champion anti-earmark person, that's not change. Come on! I mean, words mean something, you can't just make stuff up."
Like I said, hope dies, when Obama lies..... Palin walks the talk.
Earmarks the Pig Is coming to a town near you.
AP IMPACT: Lobbyists skirt Obama's earmark ban
Obama, who campaigned promising a more transparent and accountable government, is advocating a system that will eventually let the public track exactly where stimulus money goes through an Internet-powered search engine. In addition, Democratic lawmakers have devised an elaborate oversight system, including a new board to review how the money is spent.
But none of that will happen until after the bill becomes law. Even critics of the earmarks system acknowledge that specifying projects upfront offers some measure of transparency.
"We hate earmarks, but at least it's a way of tracking where influence is had," said Keith Ashdown of the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense. "There is a challenge now that projects will be added behind closed doors without a paper trail."
Indeed, some lawmakers hearing from local groups say they're doing their own lobbying of governors and state and local officials who could have say-so over the funds.
"I've talked to my governor and suggested some things I think are important in our area," said Republican Rep. C.W. Bill Young, who represents St. Petersburg, Fla. "He knows what the needs are."
A Gitmo NIMBY UPDATE: A Political Demolition Derby
GOP official has Guantanamo idea for S.F.
That is a great idea. And now a NIMBY moment from Thursday.
To the GOP; put the peddle to the metal on this and screw using political brakes.
Demolish Obama's executive order on closing Gitmo.
Update: Here is Rove's prediction on Gitmo.
A senior House Republican has a suggestion for where to put the Guantanamo detainees - right in the middle of San Francisco Bay, and right in the heart of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's district.
"Alcatraz would be a good place to put these people," Rep. C.W. Bill Young of Florida told Congressional Quarterly.
That is a great idea. And now a NIMBY moment from Thursday.
Here is a prediction. Obama closes Gitmo and has to find a place to put the prisoners. My bet is there will be very few places that they will be able to find without a NIMBY protest.
An island perhaps off of San Fransico would be appropriate. Let that thought settle in on the liberals in San Francisco.
To the GOP; put the peddle to the metal on this and screw using political brakes.
Demolish Obama's executive order on closing Gitmo.
Update: Here is Rove's prediction on Gitmo.
Economies Worse Off Than Predicted Just Weeks Ago
Downturn Accelerates As It Circles The Globe
The world economy is deteriorating more quickly than leading economists predicted only weeks ago, with Britain yesterday becoming the latest nation to surprise analysts with the depth of its economic pain.
Britain posted its worst quarterly contraction since 1980 on the heels of sharper than expected slowdowns reported from Germany to China to South Korea. The grim data, analysts said, underscores how the burst of the biggest credit bubble in history is seeping into the real economies around the world, silencing construction cranes, bankrupting businesses and throwing millions of people out of work.
"In just the past few days, we've had a big downward revision, we're seeing that an even bigger deceleration is on the way than we thought," said Simon Johnson, former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund and a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
The depth of the troubles, analysts say, indicates that nations may need to spend more than the billions of dollars already planned on stimulus packages to jump-start their economies, and that a global recovery could take longer, perhaps pushing into 2010.
More Gitmo Updates
A new Pentagon report may complicate Obama's plans for Gitmo.
"They gave me a good time at Cuba"
By coming up with the quote on the food being bad at Gitmo I was lampooning the pictures in the previous thread. But I got a chuckle out of the real quote that the individual had a good time in Cuba.
So much so he was recaptured.
Still, a few top Obama administration officials have privately acknowledged that the problem of still dangerous detainees at Guantanamo is more worrisome than some of president's campaign statements might suggest. In May 2008, when the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) last prepared a report on released Gitmo detainees who had returned to terrorist activities, it counted the number of recidivists at 37. Among the examples: Mohammed Ismail, one of the "juveniles" at Guantanamo who, upon his release in 2004, had praised his treatment by Americans, saying at a press conference, "They gave me a good time at Cuba." He was recaptured four months later, participating in an attack on U.S. forces near Kandahar, Afghanistan.
"They gave me a good time at Cuba"
By coming up with the quote on the food being bad at Gitmo I was lampooning the pictures in the previous thread. But I got a chuckle out of the real quote that the individual had a good time in Cuba.
So much so he was recaptured.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
And Now for A Gitmo Update
Two ex-Guantanamo inmates appear in Al-Qaeda video
"That Barack Hussein Obama, he's da bomb, praise Allah. And one more thing, the food was bad at Gitmo"
Former detainee at Guantanamo Bay, Abu Sufyan al-Azdi al-Shahri
Former detainee at Guantanamo Bay, Abu al-Hareth Muhammad al-Oufi
"That Barack Hussein Obama, he's da bomb, praise Allah. And one more thing, the food was bad at Gitmo"
Former detainee at Guantanamo Bay, Abu Sufyan al-Azdi al-Shahri
Former detainee at Guantanamo Bay, Abu al-Hareth Muhammad al-Oufi
Friday, January 23, 2009
Do as I Don't do: Representative Hawker
Representative Hawker on the Alaska Standard wrote a piece titled: Time for a Fiscal Plan. And another piece, it was titled: a Letter to the Governor from a grown up in the House
In both, he was critical of Governor Palin's budget being based on $74.41 dollars per barrel oil.
I always used caution when reading politicians because they will say one thing and do another.
While Rep. Hawker was being critical of Palin this year, Hawker has his own problems with actually making a fiscal plan or being the grown up in the house.
From last year. Link
From this year.
Some lawmakers are unhappy with state hiring freeze
Hawker is not one to criticise Palin on the matter. He is guilty of not cutting the budget himself. And that is his job as House Finance Co-Chairman.
In both, he was critical of Governor Palin's budget being based on $74.41 dollars per barrel oil.
I always used caution when reading politicians because they will say one thing and do another.
While Rep. Hawker was being critical of Palin this year, Hawker has his own problems with actually making a fiscal plan or being the grown up in the house.
From last year. Link
Rep. Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, said lawmakers may blame the Finance Committee for a bloated budget but few hesitated to suggest increases in health and social services when he was putting together the department budget earlier this session. "It's very easy to throw rocks at us when it's over, but I'd like to see people stand up and tell us where would they cut a material portion of this budget," Hawker said. "I'd like to see people go on record."
From this year.
Some lawmakers are unhappy with state hiring freeze
House Finance Co-Chairman Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, said state agencies already are struggling to recruit and retain competent people. He questioned whether Palin's motives are fiscal or political.
"The idea of a hiring freeze in an organization as diverse and sophisticated as Alaska is in my opinion not a good management practice. There are no simple one-size-fits-all solutions," he said.
The freeze appears to carry more symbolic weight than significant savings.
Hawker is not one to criticise Palin on the matter. He is guilty of not cutting the budget himself. And that is his job as House Finance Co-Chairman.
Freddie Mac asks the government for more help Mortgage giant to ask Treasury for another $30 billion to $35 billion
Freddie Mac asks the government for more help Mortgage giant to ask Treasury for another $30 billion to $35 billion
It won't stop here.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency, Freddie Mac's conservator, will ask the Treasury Department for additional funds of between $30 billion and $35 billion, the mortgage giant said in a regulatory filing Friday.
Based on a preliminary evaluation of its fourth-quarter operations, Freddie Mac's management believes that it will need the extra support to offset the impact of operating losses as well as other items that could affect the company's net worth.
It won't stop here.
Predicton for 2009
Of course you will have to wait until 2012 to see if I am correct.
Drum roll..........................................................
President Barack Obama will be a one term president and Mickey Mouse could beat him in 2012.
Let's see how everything stacks up with the peoples of this here United States.
The top three issues that are important to voters.
Economy, Jobs Trump All Other Policy Priorities In 2009
Economy is 85%
Jobs is 82%
Terrorism 76%
On the very bottom is Global Warming.
Obama is screwing up Gitmo. He is screwing up on Global Warming. And the honeymoon will fade fast as the economy continues to fall. The stimulus package will be a failure. And it will come to light in 2010.
I would not be surprised to see the United States have to default on certain debt owed to countries like China and Japan.
Drum roll..........................................................
President Barack Obama will be a one term president and Mickey Mouse could beat him in 2012.
Let's see how everything stacks up with the peoples of this here United States.
The top three issues that are important to voters.
Economy, Jobs Trump All Other Policy Priorities In 2009
Economy is 85%
Jobs is 82%
Terrorism 76%
On the very bottom is Global Warming.
Obama is screwing up Gitmo. He is screwing up on Global Warming. And the honeymoon will fade fast as the economy continues to fall. The stimulus package will be a failure. And it will come to light in 2010.
I would not be surprised to see the United States have to default on certain debt owed to countries like China and Japan.
More NIMBY on Gitmo: Obama's First Executive Order Screw Up
President Obama's first line of business was to close Gitmo. The left cheered but here is the thing. As I said before, there will be the problem with people not wanting terrorists in their backyard.
The Republicans came out with legislation to test Obama and the Democrtas and it's a shot across McCain's political bow.
Before I get to the story, here is one on Fort Leavenworth.
Take note that Obama is signing executive orders without a clear and safe plan.
The unscientific poll on Gitmo:
Should the Guantanamo Bay detention center be closed?
Yes 261 36%
No 472 64%
Total Votes: 733
Here is what McCain had to say about Gitmo and Leavenworth.
Here is what House Republicans have done.
House Republicans Introduce Bill Banning Gitmo Detainees From U.S. Soil
McCain needs to go. I hope to hell there is a Republican that runs against him in the Republican primary and beats him.
The Republicans came out with legislation to test Obama and the Democrtas and it's a shot across McCain's political bow.
Before I get to the story, here is one on Fort Leavenworth.
Kansas politicians and local government officials have complained loudly about the possibility of America’s most troublesome captives being brought to the Midwest. Opponents’ arguments center on security — both that the military prison might not be equipped for such high-risk inmates, and that the fort and the community might be targeted by terrorists.
“This is just not going to happen on our watch,” said U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, a Kansas Republican.
U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, a Kansas Republican, said he had been told by officials from Muslim countries that they would no longer send officers to the Army Command and General Staff College if the detainees came to Fort Leavenworth.
“We’ve already heard from students from Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia that they will leave, or be pulled by their governments, if the detainees from Guantanamo are moved there,” Brownback said. “It’s where these relationships are built with foreign officers, particularly in the Islamic world. This really hurts us.”
Obama’s administration has yet to address where the Guantanamo inmates will end up. In fact, the detainees’ ultimate destination poses a myriad of unsettled legal questions.
Take note that Obama is signing executive orders without a clear and safe plan.
The unscientific poll on Gitmo:
Should the Guantanamo Bay detention center be closed?
Yes 261 36%
No 472 64%
Total Votes: 733
Here is what McCain had to say about Gitmo and Leavenworth.
Here is what House Republicans have done.
House Republicans Introduce Bill Banning Gitmo Detainees From U.S. Soil
With President Obama ordering the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility within the year, House Republicans today introduced legislation to prohibit federal courts from ordering the release or transfer of detainees from the facility onto U.S. soil.
“Closing Guantanamo Bay presents a clear and present danger to all Americans," said House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith. "These suspected terrorists must now be relocated and if they are transferred to military prisons in the U.S., they automatically will be granted rights far beyond those given to enemy combatants by any other country."
“The result is that many will petition friendly federal judges who may order their release into U.S. communities," he continued.
The legislation, known as the Enemy Combatant Detention Review Act, has the backing of Minority Leader John Boehner and other prominent House Republicans.
In addition to preventing courts from bring enemy combatants into the U.S., the bill requires that an alien captured and detained abroad during wartime cannot be admitted and released into the country.
McCain needs to go. I hope to hell there is a Republican that runs against him in the Republican primary and beats him.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
And Now a NIMBY Moment
Murtha Praises Gitmo Closing, OK With Moving Prisoners To Pa.
The funny thing about this article was the unscientific poll that was conducted.
I quite frankly don't feel sorry for the people there. They voted him back in and Murtha keeps making news on earmarks.
Pa. defense firm raided by FBI
Here is a prediction. Obama closes Gitmo and has to find a place to put the prisoners. My bet is there will be very few places that they will be able to find without a NIMBY protest.
An island perhaps off of San Francisco would be appropriate. Let that thought settle in on the liberals in San Francisco.
"We can abide by a rule that says we don't torture, but we can still obtain the intelligence we need," Obama said.
In a Thursday press release, Murtha said, "I applaud his judgment and I wholeheartedly support this decision."
Earlier, the Pennsylvania congressman said he would have no qualms about transferring Guantanamo detainees to a holding facility in his district.
One possible location for the prisoners could be the federal maximum security prison at Lewisburg, Pa. Another possibility is the Federal Correctional Institute in Loretto, Pa.
Murtha said so in an interview with Fox News. He is a Democrat who heads the House subcommittee that funds the military.
The funny thing about this article was the unscientific poll that was conducted.
Rep. John Murtha said he would have no qualms about transferring Guantanamo detainees to a prison in his Pa. district. Do you agree with him?
Choice Votes Percentage of 749 Votes
Yes 94 13%
No 632 84%
Don't feel strongly either way 23 3%
I quite frankly don't feel sorry for the people there. They voted him back in and Murtha keeps making news on earmarks.
Pa. defense firm raided by FBI
Here is a prediction. Obama closes Gitmo and has to find a place to put the prisoners. My bet is there will be very few places that they will be able to find without a NIMBY protest.
An island perhaps off of San Francisco would be appropriate. Let that thought settle in on the liberals in San Francisco.
Send in the Clowns: Reid and Franken turn the U.S. Senate into a Circus
Senate Democrats move toward seating Franken
This is the same guy that said Burris could not be seated because the rules of the Senate or something to that effect, would not allow Burris to be seated because the Secretary of the State in Illinois did not certify Burris' nomination.
And now he wants to seat Franken when 12,00o absentee ballots have not been counted?
What a circus.....
WASHINGTON – It's no joke: Senate Democrats are moving toward letting comedian Al Franken join the chamber while Republican Norm Coleman's election lawsuit is pending.
"We're going to try to seat Al Franken," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told reporters on Wednesday, a few hours before he posed with Franken for photos just off the Senate floor. "There's not a question in anyone's mind, an assertion by anyone, that there's been any fraud or wrongdoing in this election."
This is the same guy that said Burris could not be seated because the rules of the Senate or something to that effect, would not allow Burris to be seated because the Secretary of the State in Illinois did not certify Burris' nomination.
And now he wants to seat Franken when 12,00o absentee ballots have not been counted?
Franken finished the re-count ahead by 225 votes. But Coleman's campaign said it will push for a review of all 12,000 absentee ballots that were not counted in the race. Coleman's attorneys said the new proposal could bring as many as 7,000 ballots to the race.
Reid did not say when Franken would be seated provisionally, but he said the two were meeting to hash out the agenda and Franken's committee assignments.
Not so fast, said Republicans.
"If Al Franken truly believes he won this election, he should respect the laws of his state and allow this legal review to be completed," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
What a circus.....
Palling Around With McCain: A Window Shopper's Nightmare
A book by Palin is on the horizon and I will make a suggestion on the title.
Palling Around with McCain: A Window Shopper's Nightmare.
First, as we found through Ziegler's poll on Obama voters, most of them recognized the media's infatuation with the RNC buying Palin's clothes so it stands to reason the infatuation will continue through the title. Thus Palin can make huge sums of money from them.
Of course buyers remorse would set in as soon as they read the story because it should be a story about how McCain and his staff were ninkinpoops.
Start with Nicole Wallace and an interesting short article about her in the American Spectator.
The story talks about how Frum thinks Wallace was behind the B.S. with Palin and how she was handled poorly.
I agree especially after reading the following article written by her.
Nicole Wallace is now talking about Obama by saying Republicans Get on Board.
All I can say is; she must be looking for work. And she must need new shoes, a handbag and an outfit for an interview with the Obama express which is one track away from a trainwreck.
One should ask if she and Palin are the same size. Word on the street is the RNC is having a garage sale on women's clothing.
Palling Around with McCain: A Window Shopper's Nightmare.
First, as we found through Ziegler's poll on Obama voters, most of them recognized the media's infatuation with the RNC buying Palin's clothes so it stands to reason the infatuation will continue through the title. Thus Palin can make huge sums of money from them.
Of course buyers remorse would set in as soon as they read the story because it should be a story about how McCain and his staff were ninkinpoops.
Start with Nicole Wallace and an interesting short article about her in the American Spectator.
The story talks about how Frum thinks Wallace was behind the B.S. with Palin and how she was handled poorly.
I agree especially after reading the following article written by her.
Nicole Wallace is now talking about Obama by saying Republicans Get on Board.
No American could watch the inauguration of President Barack Obama this week and not feel pride in the splendor and strength of our democracy. No one watching could miss the drama of this moment of challenge and self-examination for our nation—of seeing a man so well-suited to meet the expectations of the office he fills. The presidency is now within reach for any man who dares to dream big enough. It is no longer an office attainable by members of one race, and, hopefully, in short time, it will no longer be an office available to one gender.
All I can say is; she must be looking for work. And she must need new shoes, a handbag and an outfit for an interview with the Obama express which is one track away from a trainwreck.
One should ask if she and Palin are the same size. Word on the street is the RNC is having a garage sale on women's clothing.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Ronald Reagan Still Top Dog on the Most Watched Inaugural Speech
Barack Obama Jan. 20, 2009 -Tues 25.5 28,906,061 37,793,008
Ronald Reagan Jan. 20, 1981-Tue 37.4 29,100,000 41,800,260
Richard Nixon Jan. 20, 1969 - Mon 33.5 18,870,000 27,007,700
Jimmy Carter Jan. 20, 1977-Thu 31.5 22,430,000 34,127,090
Richard Nixon Jan. 20, 1973-Sat 28.5 18,470,000 32,950,900
Bill Clinton Jan. 20, 1993-Wed 24.5 22,758,111 29,721,041
Ronald Reagan Jan. 20, 1985-Sun 22.3 18,925,556 25,053,886
George W. Bush Jan. 20, 2001-Sat 20.8 21,346,400 29,008,200
George H.W. Bush Jan. 20, 1989-Fri 20 18,106,000 23,316,325
Bill Clinton Jan. 20, 1997-Mon 17.1 16,515,000 21,583,000
George W. Bush Jan. 20, 2005-Thu 11.8 12,928,709 15,536,652
Ronald Reagan Jan. 20, 1981-Tue 37.4 29,100,000 41,800,260
Richard Nixon Jan. 20, 1969 - Mon 33.5 18,870,000 27,007,700
Jimmy Carter Jan. 20, 1977-Thu 31.5 22,430,000 34,127,090
Richard Nixon Jan. 20, 1973-Sat 28.5 18,470,000 32,950,900
Bill Clinton Jan. 20, 1993-Wed 24.5 22,758,111 29,721,041
Ronald Reagan Jan. 20, 1985-Sun 22.3 18,925,556 25,053,886
George W. Bush Jan. 20, 2001-Sat 20.8 21,346,400 29,008,200
George H.W. Bush Jan. 20, 1989-Fri 20 18,106,000 23,316,325
Bill Clinton Jan. 20, 1997-Mon 17.1 16,515,000 21,583,000
George W. Bush Jan. 20, 2005-Thu 11.8 12,928,709 15,536,652
Holy Cow Some of the Brits Have Come out Swinging
Barack Obama inauguration: this Emperor has no clothes, it will all end in tears
Can't say I disagree. And it is always interesting to read the comments.
President Obama is great at oratory - but when you analyse his speeches you can remove 99% as being meaningless.
He 'sold the sizzle' - but what is inside the sausage?
Weejonnie
January 20, 2009
07:34 PM GMT
Weejonnie, the Obamatrons never miss a chance to remind us all how very smart their Messiah is. But as we all know, the sausages are filled with the same old greasy (government) pork filling.
antonio
January 20, 2009
07:39 PM GMT
One great difference between Blair and Obama (and by extension the liberal-left in GB and the liberal-left of America) is that Blair's ticket in '97 was based on an intense dislike of the Great Britain that had existed pre year zero.
Blair didn't particularly like the country, its people, its history or its culture - his politics was based on discarding the past wholesale, and changing the nation as rapidly and radically as he could get away with.
Obama, in common with every single American on either side of the political spectrum, is a fierce patriot who loves the United States of America, its history and its culture.
I'm not saying that in itself will lead to the promised land, but I don't believe the two approach their task for the same reasons.
xxcorrectxx
January 20, 2009
07:55 PM GMT
xxcorectxx, Considering O'Bambi wrote 2 books about himself and 0 books about Patriotism, I'd say he thinks more of himself.
antonio
January 20, 2009
08:03 PM GMT
This will end in tears. The Obama hysteria is not merely embarrassing to witness, it is itself contributory to the scale of the disaster that is coming. What we are experiencing, in the deepening days of a global depression, is the desperate suspension of disbelief by people of intelligence - la trahison des clercs - in a pathetic effort to hypnotise themselves into the delusion that it will be all right on the night. It will not be all right.
Can't say I disagree. And it is always interesting to read the comments.
President Obama is great at oratory - but when you analyse his speeches you can remove 99% as being meaningless.
He 'sold the sizzle' - but what is inside the sausage?
Weejonnie
January 20, 2009
07:34 PM GMT
Weejonnie, the Obamatrons never miss a chance to remind us all how very smart their Messiah is. But as we all know, the sausages are filled with the same old greasy (government) pork filling.
antonio
January 20, 2009
07:39 PM GMT
One great difference between Blair and Obama (and by extension the liberal-left in GB and the liberal-left of America) is that Blair's ticket in '97 was based on an intense dislike of the Great Britain that had existed pre year zero.
Blair didn't particularly like the country, its people, its history or its culture - his politics was based on discarding the past wholesale, and changing the nation as rapidly and radically as he could get away with.
Obama, in common with every single American on either side of the political spectrum, is a fierce patriot who loves the United States of America, its history and its culture.
I'm not saying that in itself will lead to the promised land, but I don't believe the two approach their task for the same reasons.
xxcorrectxx
January 20, 2009
07:55 PM GMT
xxcorectxx, Considering O'Bambi wrote 2 books about himself and 0 books about Patriotism, I'd say he thinks more of himself.
antonio
January 20, 2009
08:03 PM GMT
The Dream of Martin Luther King Jr. has Been Mocked by the Obama Presidency
On January 19th 2009, America celebrated the history of Martin Luther King Jr.. On January 20th, one day later, the people of this nation witnessed a man named Barack Obama become president.
A nation’s voting majority and the media, became enablers to a man’s political aspirations and conduct which mocked the very words that were spoken by a black man with a dream.
The dream of Martin Luther King Jr. was:
The presidency of Barack Obama mocks those very words that were spoken and there is an irony in that Barack Obama‘s daughters through their father‘s own selfishness, are denied that very dream.
To put it simply, Barack Obama wants to be judged by his race and not his character.
It doesn’t take much to argue the point. All one has to do is look at how Barack Obama has moved among those of like minded individuals for political gain.
We can talk about the 20 years Barack Obama sat in the seats of Reverend Wright’s church and we can talk about the words that were spoken by the Reverend Wright, but those who were enablers to Obama’s political aspirations, state that Obama wasn’t there to hear the bigotry.
A calculated assessment was done by Obama to take the proper course in his political aspirations. Clearly it was politically expedient for Obama to disown the Reverend Wright when the issue started to hurt Obama in the Democratic primaries against Hillary Clinton.
The close relationships that Obama cultivated are found with fanatics like Bill Ayers, a man who was a member in a group of domestic terrorists. Ayers, also a man who can be described as a fanatic who claims a bond to Marxism. But the enablers to Obama’s political aspirations, state that Obama wasn’t palling around with men like Ayers.
Again a calculated assessment was done by Obama to take the proper course in his political aspirations. Obama lied about the relationship to distance himself from the days of palling around with Ayers.
These are just two incidents where Obama’s character was tested and he failed. The last incident that I will talk about will show the true nature of Obama and how far this man was willing to go to become president and how the media has played a role in Obama‘s mockery of King‘s dream.
The media plays the race card
Google “Obama becomes first black US president” and you will see what the media has been pushing through the entire presidential campaign. The race card.
When Obama’s character issues came to light, the shadow of the media’s bigotry was too great and the race card stacked the political deck. The media wasn’t shy about using the race card to try to put guilt into the minds of voters. That has become the job of the media; to push their political agenda.
And that agenda was displayed perfectly on January 20,2009 when Tom Brokaw stated:
Someone needs to tell Brokaw to get in line with the bigots, because he played the race card. For media enablers like Brokaw; IT’S THE CHARACTER STUPID.
Moreover a history lesson for Brokaw. Some of those redneck bigots he talks about were old school Democrats like Robert Byrd. And he was never ousted from the Democrat caucuses.
When it came to the race card, the media saw an opportunity to push their agenda. So did Barack Obama.
Obama Sees His Race As Opportunity
Even in this article the media will gloss over Obama’s character when it states:
Honor thy parents and old school
The true character of a man is how he will treat his parents in public. Obama’s father was a black man from Kenya and his mother was a white woman from Kansas. The old school of thought tells us to honor our parents.
When we honor our parents we in effect honor ourselves. The media will say Obama always honored his parents. Not so. Because Barack Obama ignored his own white ethnicity as an adolescent and continued to ignore it as he entered politics.
Barack Obama honored his father’s ethnicity and ignored his mother’s ethnicity by calling himself an African American. The meaning of African American is clear throughout his writings. Some however, have tried to discount Obama’s own words on the matter by suggesting semantics are in play, by saying that his father is African and his mother is American.
What is also clear is people in this nation are questioning Obama’s willingness to emphasis his father’s ethnicity and not his mother’s.
From the previous link from CBS:
Arguably, many of these people will judge a man or woman by his or her character, not by the color of their skin.
It is hard to say what Martin Luther King Jr. would say about Barack Obama’s presidency. But one thing is for sure, the words that were spoken about the dream of being blind to a man’s race; Barack Obama has shown himself to embrace his race for political gain.
And this nation as a whole, will have to wait for that dream to be realized under a president who is blind to his own race and finds importance in character.
A nation’s voting majority and the media, became enablers to a man’s political aspirations and conduct which mocked the very words that were spoken by a black man with a dream.
The dream of Martin Luther King Jr. was:
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
The presidency of Barack Obama mocks those very words that were spoken and there is an irony in that Barack Obama‘s daughters through their father‘s own selfishness, are denied that very dream.
To put it simply, Barack Obama wants to be judged by his race and not his character.
It doesn’t take much to argue the point. All one has to do is look at how Barack Obama has moved among those of like minded individuals for political gain.
We can talk about the 20 years Barack Obama sat in the seats of Reverend Wright’s church and we can talk about the words that were spoken by the Reverend Wright, but those who were enablers to Obama’s political aspirations, state that Obama wasn’t there to hear the bigotry.
A calculated assessment was done by Obama to take the proper course in his political aspirations. Clearly it was politically expedient for Obama to disown the Reverend Wright when the issue started to hurt Obama in the Democratic primaries against Hillary Clinton.
The close relationships that Obama cultivated are found with fanatics like Bill Ayers, a man who was a member in a group of domestic terrorists. Ayers, also a man who can be described as a fanatic who claims a bond to Marxism. But the enablers to Obama’s political aspirations, state that Obama wasn’t palling around with men like Ayers.
Again a calculated assessment was done by Obama to take the proper course in his political aspirations. Obama lied about the relationship to distance himself from the days of palling around with Ayers.
These are just two incidents where Obama’s character was tested and he failed. The last incident that I will talk about will show the true nature of Obama and how far this man was willing to go to become president and how the media has played a role in Obama‘s mockery of King‘s dream.
The media plays the race card
Google “Obama becomes first black US president” and you will see what the media has been pushing through the entire presidential campaign. The race card.
When Obama’s character issues came to light, the shadow of the media’s bigotry was too great and the race card stacked the political deck. The media wasn’t shy about using the race card to try to put guilt into the minds of voters. That has become the job of the media; to push their political agenda.
And that agenda was displayed perfectly on January 20,2009 when Tom Brokaw stated:
Listen, I just want to say one thing. Having been in the South in the '60s and
Los Angeles, in Watts and northern urban areas, when we were evolving as a
country, I'm thinking of all the bigots and rednecks and people I met along the
way. I'm saying to them, "Take this." You know?
Someone needs to tell Brokaw to get in line with the bigots, because he played the race card. For media enablers like Brokaw; IT’S THE CHARACTER STUPID.
Moreover a history lesson for Brokaw. Some of those redneck bigots he talks about were old school Democrats like Robert Byrd. And he was never ousted from the Democrat caucuses.
When it came to the race card, the media saw an opportunity to push their agenda. So did Barack Obama.
Obama Sees His Race As Opportunity
There is an entire generation that will grow up taking for granted that the
highest office in the land is filled by an African American. Barack
Obama
Even in this article the media will gloss over Obama’s character when it states:
For his part, Obama is unambiguous in calling himself an African American,
the identity he embraced early on.
Though he has always honored his white mother and grandparents, the young Obama read African American writers and studied the mien of the black guys he encountered on the basketball court.
Honor thy parents and old school
The true character of a man is how he will treat his parents in public. Obama’s father was a black man from Kenya and his mother was a white woman from Kansas. The old school of thought tells us to honor our parents.
When we honor our parents we in effect honor ourselves. The media will say Obama always honored his parents. Not so. Because Barack Obama ignored his own white ethnicity as an adolescent and continued to ignore it as he entered politics.
Barack Obama honored his father’s ethnicity and ignored his mother’s ethnicity by calling himself an African American. The meaning of African American is clear throughout his writings. Some however, have tried to discount Obama’s own words on the matter by suggesting semantics are in play, by saying that his father is African and his mother is American.
What is also clear is people in this nation are questioning Obama’s willingness to emphasis his father’s ethnicity and not his mother’s.
From the previous link from CBS:
"We did not elect our first African American president. Rather, we elected our first biracial president," Douglas Snyder of Bowie wrote in a letter published Saturday in The Post.There is a sentiment among many people in this nation that consider Obama to be both black and white. These people are the people who are trying to live the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. because they see the equality in Obama‘s ethnicity and honor Obama‘s mother by doing so.
Arguably, many of these people will judge a man or woman by his or her character, not by the color of their skin.
It is hard to say what Martin Luther King Jr. would say about Barack Obama’s presidency. But one thing is for sure, the words that were spoken about the dream of being blind to a man’s race; Barack Obama has shown himself to embrace his race for political gain.
And this nation as a whole, will have to wait for that dream to be realized under a president who is blind to his own race and finds importance in character.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Kids are Running the White House
Incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel gestures prior to the inauguration ceremony of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States, in Washington, January 20, 2009.REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES)
A Tribute to Obama's Inauguration Day
William Ayers turned back at Canadian border
An American education professor, one of the founders of a radical 1960s group known as the Weather Underground, which was responsible for a number of bombings in the United States in the early 1970s, was turned back at the Canadian border last night.
William Ayers, a professor of education at the University of Illinois-Chicago and a leader in educational reform, was scheduled to speak at the Centre for Urban Schooling at University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. But that appearance has now been temporarily cancelled.
"I don't know why I was turned back," Ayers said in an interview this morning from Chicago. "I got off the plane like everyone else and I was asked to come over to the other side. The border guards reviewed some stuff and said I wasn't going to be allowed into Canada. To me it seems quite bureaucratic and not at all interesting ... If it were me I would have let me in. I couldn't possibly be a threat to Canada."
Monday, January 19, 2009
President Reagan 1981 Inaugural Address
President Obama will never fill Reagan's shoes.............................
In 2009, we will see the first United States President who has shown himself to a be a racist by diminishing his own mother's race for political gain. His actions are no different than if a white man born to a black woman were to diminsh their mother's race because she was black.
Obama and the millions that voted for Obama because of his race, mock the very words that Martin Luther King stated about a man's race.
"...I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
Unfortunately, Dr. King's dream is not realized in Barack Obama. For Obama embraced his father's skin color over his mother's skin color. And Obama chose to use his race and not his character to achieve his political goals.
Here is the headline that proves this point: Obama Sees His Race As Opportunity
Obama has confronted questions about his racial identity since his earliest days in politics. And now he is confronting new questions, as Americans of differing backgrounds are eager to claim him. Is he the first black president or the first biracial president? Why should the white part of his lineage give way to the black part?
"We did not elect our first African American president. Rather, we elected our first biracial president," Douglas Snyder of Bowie wrote in a letter published Saturday in The Post.
For his part, Obama is unambiguous in calling himself an African American, the identity he embraced early on.
We will enter into a new age were we will witness the rise of socialism and fanaticism. That is how Hitler came to power, that is how Stalin came to power and this is how Obama came to power.
Should we be spending so much money on the inauguration?
I pulled the link on the poll because it changed but over 80 percent of the respondents said yes, Obama was spending too much. Granted it was unscientific but it is a point of interest.
Meanwhile, while you take in the millions that is being spent on Obama's inauguration, the guys over at the Fixed Pie are talking crap about Obama's stimulus plan.
Clever....in a good way.(smile)
Meanwhile, while you take in the millions that is being spent on Obama's inauguration, the guys over at the Fixed Pie are talking crap about Obama's stimulus plan.
Clever....in a good way.(smile)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The New York Times Has Skin in Obama's Inauguration
It will be interesting to see if the New York Times runs negative stories on Obama's inauguration. They slammed President Bush in an Op-ed piece on the cost of his inauguration and then had the audacity to state that the Iraq war should have been cause for restraint in spending for the inauguration.
The New York Times on the Bush inauguration.
The root cause of this criticism by the editorial staff at the New York Times as was previously stated; the Iraq War.
Let's move on to today with the economic problems that face this country....
During these hard economic times, what does Obama do? Obama's inauguration set to be the most expensive in US history
What is interesting is the New York Times position on the inauguration...
They have skin in the game. And what do I mean skin? They want to profit off of the inauguration.
Now the common person has to say to those media elitists who have shown a clear bias in reporting the news; The New York Times will look out for the "common people" when it is Bush's inauguration, but will look out for their own interests, when it comes to Obama's inauguration.
Note to the New York, don't expect a bail out from us common people.
H/T to Texas Darlin for pointing out the basics on this.
The New York Times on the Bush inauguration.
At the rate President Bush's supporters are giving money, his second inauguration threatens to stand out in the history books like the common folks' muddy boot prints on the White House furniture at Andrew Jackson's gala. The $40 million record for inaugural partying set four years ago for Mr. Bush is expected to be shattered this month. The only limits for this binge of giving are the private inaugural committee's maximum of $250,000 for corporate donors (more than 40 have pledged so far) and $100,000 for individuals (60 and counting).
The root cause of this criticism by the editorial staff at the New York Times as was previously stated; the Iraq War.
Ordinary citizens might have hoped that the overriding issue in Washington - the perilous Iraq war, with its drain on the nation's blood and treasure - would dictate restraint. But plans for the four-day extravaganza roll forward with nine celebratory balls being underwritten by the usual corporate and fat-cat supplicants in the political power mill.
There's nothing new in Washington's triumphalist celebrations, festooned with price tags for access, but war usually mutes the singing and dancing. Not this year.
Let's move on to today with the economic problems that face this country....
During these hard economic times, what does Obama do? Obama's inauguration set to be the most expensive in US history
What is interesting is the New York Times position on the inauguration...
They have skin in the game. And what do I mean skin? They want to profit off of the inauguration.
For Obama’s swearing-in as U.S. president on Jan. 20, publishers of the New York Times, Washington Post and newspapers across the country are planning to sell millions of extra copies, special editions, books and other memorabilia. That’s after Nov. 5 newspapers attracted bids of almost $100 apiece on EBay.
“Every newspaper is getting in on this and they really have to,” said John Morton, a newspaper analyst and president of Morton Research Inc. in Silver Spring, Maryland. “It’s a chance for some quick profits and many are struggling.”
The inauguration of the first black president in U.S. history may be a boon for publishers suffering from a drop in circulation, down 4.6 percent in the year through September.
Washington Post Co.’s flagship newspaper is raising its newsstand price to $2 from 75 cents on Jan. 20 and Jan. 21. It will publish 1.7 million copies in four editions on those days, to be sold at newsstands, vending machines and by hawkers on the street, said its spokeswoman, Maria Cereghino. The newspaper typically prints 589,000 weekday editions.
New York Times Co. will print a commemorative Sunday magazine on Jan. 18, raise the print run of its namesake title by about 75 percent to 2.2 million on Jan. 21 and sell newspapers out of its Manhattan headquarters lobby, according to its spokeswoman, Diane McNulty.
Now the common person has to say to those media elitists who have shown a clear bias in reporting the news; The New York Times will look out for the "common people" when it is Bush's inauguration, but will look out for their own interests, when it comes to Obama's inauguration.
Note to the New York, don't expect a bail out from us common people.
H/T to Texas Darlin for pointing out the basics on this.
More Lunacy Validating Obama's Presidency
From today's Anchorage Daily News Op-ed.
Our view: Torture
BOTTOM LINE: President Bush created an awful mess when he "took the gloves off" with terrorism suspects.
The rebutal;
Palling around with terrorists
Our view: Torture
BOTTOM LINE: President Bush created an awful mess when he "took the gloves off" with terrorism suspects.
The rebutal;
Palling around with terrorists
The CIA inflicted enhanced interrogation techniques on at least three detainees, including the mastermind of 9/11, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. The 9/11 Commission report cited his interrogations some 60 times as the basis for key facts revealed regarding al-Qaida.
As the New York Times reported last summer of "the intelligence riches" this master terrorist provided under interrogation, Khalid was at first "especially resistant, chanting from the Koran, doling out innocuous information or offering obvious fabrications."
But then he was water-boarded "100 times over a period of two weeks" and "as time passed, Mr. Mohammed provided more and more detail on Al-Qaida's structure, its past plots and its aspirations."
The CIA and other U.S. government personnel involved in this nasty business, along with the officials of foreign governments who acted as hosts, are heroes, not lawbreakers. As brutally terrifying as repeatedly being subjected to a drowning sensation is, it is not in the same league as what our POWs underwent in locales like imperial Japan and Communist Vietnam, and it should not be classified as torture.
The Sky Is Falling: Obama's Presidency is Validated by the Lunatics
Jim Hansen the Goddard Institute of Space Studies (why is he even working for NASA) idiot has come out with yet another assinine prediction.
President 'has four years to save Earth'
Okay the guy is talking about how it is almost too late, however you have this:
Recent cold snap helping Arctic sea ice, scientists find
Evidently the head of Goddard forgot to talk with other people within the same agency.
President 'has four years to save Earth'
However, Hansen said feedbacks in the climate system are already accelerating ice melt and are threatening to lead to the collapse of ice sheets. Sea-level rises will therefore be far greater - a claim backed last week by a group of British, Danish and Finnish scientists who said studies of past variations in climate indicate that a far more likely figure for sea-level rise will be about 1.4 metres, enough to cause devastating flooding of many of the world's major cities and of low-lying areas of Holland, Bangladesh and other nations.
As a result of his fears about sea-level rise, Hansen said he had pressed both Britain's Royal Society and the US National Academy of Sciences to carry out an urgent investigation of the state of the planet's ice-caps. However, nothing had come of his proposals. The first task of Obama's new climate office should therefore be to order such a probe "as a matter of urgency", Hansen added.
Okay the guy is talking about how it is almost too late, however you have this:
Recent cold snap helping Arctic sea ice, scientists find
"It's nice to know that the ice is recovering," Josefino Comiso, a senior research scientist with the Cryospheric Sciences Branch of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre in Maryland, told CBC News on Thursday.
Evidently the head of Goddard forgot to talk with other people within the same agency.
A Couric Moment: Camille Paglia
http://www.salon.com/opinion/paglia/2009/01/14/obama/
Excellent analysis!You have cut the entire ground out from beneath Dick Cavett's lofty claim of grammatical superiority to Sarah Palin by exposing his inability to sense a simple parenthesis in a spoken passage. I laughed heartily at your e-mail, for which I am most appreciative.
As I have repeatedly said in this column, I have never had the slightest problem in understanding Sarah Palin's meaning at any time. On the contrary, I have positively enjoyed her fresh, natural, rapid delivery with its syncopated stops and slides -- a fabulous example of which was the way (in her recent interview with John Ziegler) that she used a soft, swooping satiric undertone to zing Katie Couric's dippy narcissism and to assert her own outrage as a "mama grizzly" at libels against her family.
Ideology-driven attacks on Palin became clotted liberal clichés within 24 hours of her introduction as John McCain's running mate. What a bunch of tittering lemmings the urban elite have become in this country. From Couric's vicious manipulations of video clips to Cavett's bourgeois platitudes, the preemptive strike on Palin as a potential presidential candidate has grossly misfired. Whatever legitimate objections may be raised to Palin on political grounds (explored, for example, by David Talbot in Salon) have been lost in the amoral overkill that has defamed a self-made woman of concrete achievement in the public realm.
And let me take this opportunity to say that of all the innumerable print and broadcast journalists who have interviewed me in the U.S. and abroad since I arrived on the scene nearly 20 years ago, Katie Couric was definitively the stupidest. As a guest on NBC's "Today" show during my 1992 book tour, I was astounded by Couric's small, humorless, agenda-ridden mind, still registered in that pinched, tinny monotone that makes me rush across the room to change stations whenever her banal mini-editorials blare out at 5 p.m. on the CBS radio network. And of course I would never spoil my dinner by tuning into Couric's TV evening news show. That sallow, wizened, drum-tight, cosmetic mummification look is not an appetite enhancer outside of Manhattan or L.A. There's many a moose in Alaska with greater charm and pizazz.
The Obama Ad that Beat McCain
During the primary election, McCain commited a grave error of talking about his short comings in a debate against other Republican candidates. At one of the debates it became a one on one against Romney.
The economy hadn't hit the skids in the mainstream press. It was however showing signs of buckling.
The following Obama video is why McCain lost. It was his own words. Palin had nothing to do with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eUz13-pmTY
The economy hadn't hit the skids in the mainstream press. It was however showing signs of buckling.
The following Obama video is why McCain lost. It was his own words. Palin had nothing to do with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eUz13-pmTY
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Obama's Finest Hour: A Brave New America
I'll just let Obama's actions speak for himself and let history be our guide on this one.
Obama sets up national network to help policy agenda
A little history lesson: Means Used by the Nazi Conspiractors in Gaining Control of the German State
Related Link: History Repeating Itself?
This picture captures Hitler's hands as he speaks of the unity of the National Socialist and socialist ideas.
Obama sets up national network to help policy agenda
Reporting from Washington -- Telling millions of campaign supporters that "what you built can't stop now," President-elect Barack Obama on Saturday took his first public steps toward transforming his massive grass-roots political machinery into an unprecedented national network to help pass his policy agenda.
Obama said Organizing for America, the new network, would be used as a tool to press for policies on major issues, including the healthcare system, the Iraq war and the development of new energy sources. He also said the effort would be housed in a distinctly partisan place: the Democratic National Committee.
A little history lesson: Means Used by the Nazi Conspiractors in Gaining Control of the German State
"...The Nazi conspirators created a dual system of government controls, set up Party agencies to correspond with State agencies, and coordinated their activities, often by uniting corresponding State and Party offices in a single person.
In Mein Kampf, Hitler announced the conspirators' purpose
"Such a revolution can and will only be achieved by a movement which itself is already organized in the spirit of such ideas and thus in itself already bears the coming state. Therefore, the National Socialist movement may today become imbued with these ideas and put them into practice in its own
[Page 230]
organization so that it not only may direct the state according to the same principles, but also may be in a position to put at the state's disposal the finished organizational structure of its own state." (2883-PS)
The Nazis attempted to achieve a certain degree of identity between the Party and the State and, at the same time, to maintain two separate organizational structures. After the rise to power, the fundamental principle of unity was translated into "law":
"Article 1. After the victory of the National Socialistic Revolution, the National Socialistic German Labor Party is the bearer of the concept of the German State and is inseparably the state." (1395-PS)
The manner in which the Nazis retained a duality of organization despite the theory of unity is graphically portrayed in the charts of the Party and the State (Charts Number 1 and 18). These visual exhibits demonstrate the comprehensive character of the Party organization, which was established on parallel lines with the corresponding government structure. The Party structure remained at all times technically separate and could be used for non- governmental purposes whenever such use best served the needs of the conspirators. In innumerable instances, the corresponding Party and State offices were, in fact, held by the same person. For example, the Gauleiter of the Party in most instances also held the post of Reich Governor (or, in Prussia, that of Provincial President). (2880-PS)"
This picture captures Hitler's hands as he speaks of the unity of the National Socialist and socialist ideas.
MSNBC the artfull Dodger
During the presidential campaign, stories began to surface that Palin supported Buchanan's presidential bid as the Reform candidate.
First from Pat Buchanan.
Pat goes from luke warm to hot on Palin.
Now on to the news about Palin's associations with Buchanan. From MSNBC, the news organization that has Pat Buchanan on the Joe Scarborough
What I would like to know if these people like Obama Florida spokesman Mark Bubriski would have had the cajones to state "MSNBC is (not was) a supporter of Pat Buchanan, a right-winger or as many Jews call him: a Nazi sympathizer".
After all, he is on MSNBC and I would think he is getting paid.
First from Pat Buchanan.
Pat goes from luke warm to hot on Palin.
Now on to the news about Palin's associations with Buchanan. From MSNBC, the news organization that has Pat Buchanan on the Joe Scarborough
Obama advisers and surrogates have linked Palin to conservative former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan. An Associated Press story from Alaska, dated July 17, 1999, stated that Palin, then the mayor of the small town of Wasilla, was wearing a Buchanan button during a Buchanan visit to Alaska.
Buchanan or Forbes supporter?
But in a letter to the Anchorage Daily News a week later, Palin wrote: "When presidential candidates visit our community, I am always happy to meet them. I'll even put on their button when handed one as a polite gesture of respect. ... The article may have left your readers with the perception that I am endorsing this candidate, as opposed to welcoming his visit to Wasilla."
A week after that, the Associated Press reported that Palin would serve as a co-chair of Forbes' campaign.
Buchanan himself told MSNBC's Chris Matthews last week that Palin "was a brigadeer in 1996 as was her husband ... They were at a fundraiser for me, she's a terrific gal, she's a rebel reformer."
McCain spokesman Michael Goldfarb disputed Buchanan's claim, saying Palin supported Forbes in 1996 as well.
Still, the Miami Herald this week quoted an e-mail from Obama Florida spokesman Mark Bubriski that stated: "Palin was a supporter of Pat Buchanan, a right-winger or as many Jews call him: a Nazi sympathizer."
What I would like to know if these people like Obama Florida spokesman Mark Bubriski would have had the cajones to state "MSNBC is (not was) a supporter of Pat Buchanan, a right-winger or as many Jews call him: a Nazi sympathizer".
After all, he is on MSNBC and I would think he is getting paid.
Palin approval rating rebounding
Josh Painter
Josh Painter has some interesting poll numbers and commentary posted on Palin.
Related Story: Army of Sarahs? (How Palin's Legacy Might Be Future Female Stars))
Josh Painter has some interesting poll numbers and commentary posted on Palin.
Related Story: Army of Sarahs? (How Palin's Legacy Might Be Future Female Stars))
Palling Around With Terrorists: The Media's Tortured Logic on Palin and Obama
During the presidential campaign, Palin made the comments on Obama palling around with Bill Ayers who was considered to be a former domestic terrorist.
She had her critics on the topic.
I got a kick out of the MSNBC nitwit babe's tortured logic of trying to equate Obama's ties with a known domestic terrorist and Palin's cursory relationship with a party who isn't. But that is the mainstream media for you.
Now that Obama is elected who has he chosen for the U.S. Attorney General.
First, to a video that must be shown before going to the news on Holder.
Now a video on the hearings on clemency of the FALN members.
Eric Holder Recommended Pardons of FALN Terrorists Without Ever Talking to Victims - Video 1999
Given that Hatch chaired those hearings back then, this is what Senator Hatch has stated on Holder's nomination. Senator Hatch is a prime example of waffling and is reason why Republicans like him lose.
Sen. Hatch to back Eric Holder for AG
Next to Holder and Obama's position on waterboarding... The meat of the story
Will Holder Be Obama's Richardson?
Michelle Malkin has a good write up on the FALN issue.
As you can see, during the presidential election, the media tortured logic and the truth on Palin and Obama.
She had her critics on the topic.
I got a kick out of the MSNBC nitwit babe's tortured logic of trying to equate Obama's ties with a known domestic terrorist and Palin's cursory relationship with a party who isn't. But that is the mainstream media for you.
Now that Obama is elected who has he chosen for the U.S. Attorney General.
First, to a video that must be shown before going to the news on Holder.
Now a video on the hearings on clemency of the FALN members.
Eric Holder Recommended Pardons of FALN Terrorists Without Ever Talking to Victims - Video 1999
Given that Hatch chaired those hearings back then, this is what Senator Hatch has stated on Holder's nomination. Senator Hatch is a prime example of waffling and is reason why Republicans like him lose.
Sen. Hatch to back Eric Holder for AG
The former Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee will support Eric Holder's nomination for attorney general, giving him a major boost toward confirmation.
Next to Holder and Obama's position on waterboarding... The meat of the story
Will Holder Be Obama's Richardson?
The CIA inflicted enhanced interrogation techniques on at least three detainees, including the mastermind of 9/11, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. The 9/11 Commission report cited his interrogations some 60 times as the basis for key facts revealed regarding al-Qaida.
As the New York Times reported last summer of "the intelligence riches" this master terrorist provided under interrogation, Khalid was at first "especially resistant, chanting from the Koran, doling out innocuous information or offering obvious fabrications."
But then he was water-boarded "100 times over a period of two weeks" and "as time passed, Mr. Mohammed provided more and more detail on Al-Qaida's structure, its past plots and its aspirations."
The CIA and other U.S. government personnel involved in this nasty business, along with the officials of foreign governments who acted as hosts, are heroes, not lawbreakers. As brutally terrifying as repeatedly being subjected to a drowning sensation is, it is not in the same league as what our POWs underwent in locales like imperial Japan and Communist Vietnam, and it should not be classified as torture.
Michelle Malkin has a good write up on the FALN issue.
As you can see, during the presidential election, the media tortured logic and the truth on Palin and Obama.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Fagan and Halcro: Know it all Palin Bashers
Has The Alaska Standard become a one trick pony by bashing Palin?
It looks as if Fagan has become obsessed with Palin and I will point to my record against both Fagan and Halcro. The reason why is; this "trainwreck" duo is playing blogging footsies with each other and like to play the I know it all game by bashing Palin.
Case in point was during the AGIA process and debate, bot Fagan and Halcro were pumping up a consultant that was used in the AGIA debate. The consultant Pedro Van Muers was talked about in a loving manner by the "trainwreck duo". Halcro became the choo choo train engineer and Fagan was riding the caboose.
Well what these two forgot was van Muers actually agreed with Palin on the rate of the tax. So these two nitwits had no claim or basis to criticise Palin. They were cheering on their man who was agreeing with the tax base.
In the following is what I had wriiten on the ADN blog. You will see timelines on what I said and what fagan said. You will see I was adressing the problem with van Muers. And you will see a commentary put out by Fagan two days later.
What this shows is, The Alaska Standard is having trouble raising the banner on journalism in Alaska.
http://community.adn.com/node/112099
http://community.adn.com/node/112099#comment-67026
http://community.adn.com/node/112099#comment-66245
http://community.adn.com/node/112099#comment-66629
What Fagan said on October 21, 2007 two days after the posting on the ADN about Pedro van Muers.
http://dwb.adn.com/opinion/comment/story/9396716p-9310036c.html
What I said when all was said and done on November 19,2007.
http://community.adn.com/node/113416
http://community.adn.com/node/113416#comment-86709
And last but not least: The fun is over
It looks as if Fagan has become obsessed with Palin and I will point to my record against both Fagan and Halcro. The reason why is; this "trainwreck" duo is playing blogging footsies with each other and like to play the I know it all game by bashing Palin.
Case in point was during the AGIA process and debate, bot Fagan and Halcro were pumping up a consultant that was used in the AGIA debate. The consultant Pedro Van Muers was talked about in a loving manner by the "trainwreck duo". Halcro became the choo choo train engineer and Fagan was riding the caboose.
Well what these two forgot was van Muers actually agreed with Palin on the rate of the tax. So these two nitwits had no claim or basis to criticise Palin. They were cheering on their man who was agreeing with the tax base.
In the following is what I had wriiten on the ADN blog. You will see timelines on what I said and what fagan said. You will see I was adressing the problem with van Muers. And you will see a commentary put out by Fagan two days later.
What this shows is, The Alaska Standard is having trouble raising the banner on journalism in Alaska.
http://community.adn.com/node/112099
http://community.adn.com/node/112099#comment-67026
October 20, 2007 - 11:33pm | tlamb775
Gaffney, Cline & Associates
To the legislators who want to do your homework on the comments made by this organization:
http://www.cfoasia.com/archives/200104-15.htm
"...While negotiating the deal with Rosneft in Moscow and London between May and December 2000, ONGC hired three teams to handle the due diligence: investment bank JP Morgan London; energy advisor UK-based Gaffney, Cline & Associates; and the US law firm of Akin, Gumb & Strauss."
Ask them why it is Putin is cherry picking developments with sweet deals like Sakhalin.
"...However, as the oil and gas reserves are located in federal waters, Noglikskii district has no claim to any payments for use of resources, though the reserves are located close enough to devastate the local fishing economy in the event of an oil spill. Furthermore, the Sakhalin offshore projects use the system of "production sharing," which was developed on the basis of experience in Third World countries, and does not ensure adequate benefits to local communities. The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for the Sakhalin II project was signed on 22 June 1994 between SEIC and the Russian side (the Russian government and the Sakhalin regional administration). According to this agreement, all the production goes first of all to SEIC until the company has covered its investment costs. Only after the project has then started to make 17.5% profit will the Russian side start to receive its own share of the profits, which will be about 60% (split between the Federation and Sakhalin region).
According the PSAs, the Sakhalin projects have been freed from their federal tax obligations, apart from the royalty (6%) and profit tax (32%). The projects have likewise been freed from their regional taxes. The decision to free the companies from local taxes has not yet been taken by the Nogliki district assembly. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk municipal government has refused to free the companies from local taxes. While the money saved from local and regional taxes will increase the total profit of the projects and thus increase the amount of profit tax collected, (a) this money will go to the regional and federal budgets, not directly to local district budgets, and (b) the estimated loss to the region as a whole will be $4,160 million US for Sakhalin I and $954 million US for Sakhalin II.*6.."
How much would the State have gotten for Shell's efforts if they would have been succesfull off-shore on the North Slope.
Moreover, the oil companies recoup their agreed initial investment before Russia gets any taxes....
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/17/stories/2007101754781600.htm
Deora to seek higher stake in Sakhalin oil, gas projects or Shtokman.
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-19786564.htm
Russia's Putin phones Norway PM on Shtokman project participation - PM's office
What the people of Alaska should be asking is who is paying for these consultants from the UK.
Governor Palin a dangerous game is being played with Alaska's economy. Ask them how close did Gazprom get to buying out Centrica and ask them who controls the LNG shipping for the U.K.
If you want Alaska to get in the game, your administration should be talking with Blackstone Group about Sempra. And setting up a partnership with Conoco and others on the heavy oil.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071019.wfivethings1020/BNStory/lifeStyle/home
http://community.adn.com/node/112099#comment-66245
October 19, 2007 - 8:14am | tlamb775
Earth
to Stags: The sky is blue, what color is it from where you are ................................. higher taxes means what?
Less investment for jobs...........
(Stags smacks forehead with hand) Duh. Having a little problem with reading comprehension?
Let me put it in simple terms. Van Meurs in Alberta agreed on some terms that it was okay to raise royalties.
Exact opposite of what is being said here in philosophical terms ( a royalty is a tax). However those who know better have said there will be job losses.
Both he and Daniel (taxes don't affect production) Johnston are paid by those who want to hear what they want to hear.
http://community.adn.com/node/112099#comment-66629
October 19, 2007 - 7:09pm | tlamb775
Okay
let's tax the hell of of them. Then we can see if you are right.
I hope you don't own a house. Evidently you didn't during the crash in 1985-86.
The 90 per barrel oil is inflated by foreign investment. The weak dollar. You see all of those new projects overseas are being paid for by you and me at the pump and in the toy department at the local box store.
China and Venezuela in Orinoco and the Sakhalin Field in Russia are going to beat us. Yes we Americans are smart. We are paying to build and help our competition.
http://www.ogj.com/display_article/309686/7/ONART/none/Trasp/1/SEIC-to-boost-Sakhalin-2-liquefaction-capacity/
SEIC to boost Sakhalin 2 liquefaction capacity
When the investors say they had enough profit making on the weak dollar and oil futures and they pull their money.
Well you will finally get to see how it all works.
What Fagan said on October 21, 2007 two days after the posting on the ADN about Pedro van Muers.
http://dwb.adn.com/opinion/comment/story/9396716p-9310036c.html
DAN FAGAN
We compete globally for investment
DAN FAGAN
COMMENT
Published: October 21, 2007
Last Modified: October 21, 2007 at 03:48 AM
I've got some good news and bad news. Trouble is the good news is not so good and the bad news is really bad.
First the good news: Alaska has trillions of cubic feet of natural gas and the demand for it is expected to rise sharply in the next 25 years.
The bad news: We may have already blown our chance to get our gas to market in time to beat our competition.
On Thursday oil consultant Pedro Van Meurs testified before members of the Legislature. He shocked the packed room by saying, because of dramatic cost increases, the proposed North Slope natural gas pipeline no longer makes financial sense.
Granted, the hearing offered dueling consultants with Daniel Johnston disputing Van Meurs' claim. But Johnston's resume pales in comparison to Van Meurs'.
Van Meurs is clearly one of the world's top oil and gas consultants, with clients including the countries of China, Canada, Thailand, Guatemala, Russia, Bolivia, Gabon, Kuwait and Algeria. Van Meurs has never worked for Big Oil.
Two years ago Van Meurs predicted even if the state did everything right, there was only a 70 percent chance producers would build the Alaska gas pipeline. He warned delaying would hurt our chances even more.
But delay we did and now, according to Van Meurs, our chances of getting our gas to market in a timely manner went from 70 percent to almost zero.
Van Meurs warned of the risks of the project. Producers would have to commit to shipping more than $100 billion worth of gas regardless of the tariff.
If the price of gas dropped sharply as it is prone to do, it could put a company like Conoco Phillips out of business. The project is that big and risky.
Gov. Frank Murkowski's approach focused on removing as much risk as possible for the producers. He was vilified as being pro oil.
The Legislature, fearing the same label, killed the contract.
The previous contract needed tweaking, and it did not guarantee a pipeline. But with it we were a lot closer to the place where the producers could give the risky project a green light.
My dad always told me it takes money to make money. Nothing could be truer when it comes to oil and gas production.
But when oil prices skyrocket, so does the cost of getting oil and gas to market.
Drilling rigs are scarce. Engineers, geologists and petroleum specialists are in critically short supply. According to a recent study, discovery and development costs -- a key indicator for the industry -- tripled from 1999 to 2006.
On PBS's nationally televised talk show hosted by Charlie Rose, Gov. Sarah Palin reaffirmed her belief the oil companies don't want to get our gas to market because they have other options globally competing with Alaska's gas.
Well, of course they have other options. It's the governor's job to make Alaska more competitive for investment.
In the 2005, oil companies Exxon Mobil, Conoco Phillips and BP earned a startling $35 billion in profits. Add Shell to the mix and the number grows to $43 billion.
Anti-oil populists would cite these numbers to demonize the industry. But they should offer us great encouragement. We have four major oil companies willing to invest and do business in Alaska. These companies know how to make money. When they make money, we make money.
We may have blown our chance to get our gas to market in the near future. But we still can extend the life of the trans-Alaska pipeline by extracting expensive heavy oil and drilling offshore.
But thanks to a lawsuit filed in part by the North Slope Borough, a fleet of ships contracted by Shell formerly parked off the western coast of Alaska ready to extend the life of the trans-Alaska pipeline are now heading to other parts of the world.
And our Legislature is meeting as we speak to consider raising taxes for a third time in three years.
Van Meurs said that move would make Alaska a basket case of instability.
My fellow Alaskans, I ask you to consider one simple question: What are we doing to make ourselves more attractive for investment?
What are we doing to ourselves?
What I said when all was said and done on November 19,2007.
http://community.adn.com/node/113416
http://community.adn.com/node/113416#comment-86709
November 19, 2007 - 8:36pm | tlamb775
A Change of Heart?
Stelmach slams review panel for tax recommendation
"...Premier Ed Stelmach has criticized his own government-appointed review panel for recommending a new tax on oilsands production - a tax the government has rejected.
Stelmach stood in the legislature and compared the recommended severance tax to the much-hated national energy program that was seen as devastating Alberta's economy in the 1970s.
Stelmach says the energy program drove Albertans out of the province, caused businesses to go broke and left some people unable to pay their mortgages.
It was the first time the premier has been openly critical of the review panel, which he created to fulfil one of his major campaign promises during last fall's Tory leadership race."
Governor Palin, it didn't take him long to see what is in Alberta's future..........................
His change in heart is based on what may happen in Alberta's future and it may happen real soon. Alberta will now have to compete with Saskatchewan.
The legislation in the U.S. Congress on heavy oil and the possible lawsuit that is moving along against the tar sands development has cause for concern.
How many days has it been since they increased their taxes and he states this?
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/62786ce4-95fb-11dc-b7ec-0000779fd2ac.html
Alberta oilsands growth forecast cut
"...Kyle Preston, analyst at Salman Partners in Calgary, said the lower oilsands forecast came as no surprise.
A combination of cost increases and recent uncertainty over environmental issues and Alberta’s royalty rates “have caused a lot of companies to step back and wait until these things are sorted out”, Mr Preston said."
Note to Dan Fagan: Pedro Van Meurs was the one who suggested the increase in the taxes. "Know them by their works"
And last but not least: The fun is over
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