The Democrat Controlled Congress is Truly a Comedy of Errors

The Honorable Senator from the fine state of Minnestota

Someone at HUD Must of Liked the House I Bought

Now I know why I had to pay $100.00 more than the asking price.

[name ]Tue Jun 30 06:43:18 AM direct access none thomasalamb.blogspot.com/2009/06/pimp-my-foreclosure-hud-drives-hard.html Go (1) United States, Washington (District of Columbia)***.**.**.** Department of Housing and Urban Development.

A direct link too.(smile)

Who Reads Vanity Fair?

Once again, the focus is put on old news to make newer news out of the old stuff on Palin.

Who gives a rat's ass what Vanity Fair has to say and what some unkown source has to say.

According to this post, its readership is 1,000,000 readers?

If it attracts a young affluent readership, then most likely, it caters to the Obama deadhead anyway.

Russia Continues on Track to Give Missile Defense System to Iran

Now does it seem logical that Obama will capitulate to the Russian demands on a missile defense system being put in Eastern Europe, while Russia will put a missile defense system in Iran?

Israel has the right to try and stop it.

Moscow : Israel has intensified its efforts to prevent deliveries of Russian S-300 air defense systems to Iran under a 2007 contract, an Israeli newspaper said on Monday.

Back in April, I stated, Russia would continue to press on with the sale to Iran as Obama continued to do nothing about it.

Any bets on if Russia stops selling the anti-aircraft components to Iran in a round about way?

The Israelis have a legitimate concern on Iran. Obama will not do anything about it.

Once the missile defense system in Iran is working, look for increased sabre rattling from Iran... There will be an escalation in increased aggression by Iran towards Israel.

Obama's inaction is very telling now.

More Contradictions on the Swine Flu

The contradictions keep coming in on the swine flu...

First, as reported by the BBC, a Denmark patient with the swine flu bug is showing signs that the drug Tamiflu is not working.

Experts have reported the first case of swine flu that is resistant to tamiflu - the main drug being used to fight the pandemic.

Roche Holding AG confirmed a patient with H1N1 influenza in Denmark showed resistance to the antiviral drug.

But in other news, the CDC is saying the drug Tamiflu still works on swine flu.

ZURICH (Dow Jones)--Roche Holding AG (ROG.VX) and the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they still consider Tamiflu effective against the A/H1N1 "swine flu" virus, even though a patient in Denmark developed resistance to the drug.

"Such a development had to be expected and is no surprise from a scientific point of view," David Reddy, Roche's Pandemic Taskforce leader told journalists on a conference call.

And the WHO is saying the case in Denmark is an isolated case.

Both organizations have said the H1N1 virus has not mutated when in fact it has.

RomneyCare: Will it Stick for 2012?

Here is some interesting polling data from Rasmussen.

Massachusetts: 26% Consider State’s Health Care Reform a Success

Twenty-six percent (26%) of Massachusetts voters say their state’s health care reform effort has been a success. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state finds that 37% say the reform effort has been a failure, while another 37% are not sure.

BALTOPS 2009: Naval Exercise in the Baltic Sea

Betcha many people didn't know this was going on.

Meanwhile Obama was more concerned about piracy and Peter Pan than meeting with naval personnel in the Baltics.

Rumor has it, next sequel, Obama will get to go to Neverland.



Don't know who made the photo...

And in old news a shot from the Primary Flight Control on the USS Stennis



Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kenneth Abbate

Shtokman could require 20 LNG carriers

Shtokman could require 20 LNG carriers

Sovkomflot and Shell are entering a partnership agreement to be prepared for the huge potential for LNG-shipping from the Arctic

Gazprom keeps rolling along.

LONDON (Dow Jones)--OAO Gazprom Neft (SIBN.RS) has gained control of 74.43% of Sibir Energy PLC (SBE.LN), the London-listed oil producer said Monday.

According to Sibir's statement, Gazprom Neft owns a 34.1% stake in Sibir and a 14.67% stake through two companies. Gazprom Neft, the oil arm of state-controlled gas giant OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) also has a voting right for a 25.66% stake in Sibir, but doesn't technically own the stake.

And along...

WAM SEOUL, June 23 (WAM) -- South Korea may consider laying an undersea pipeline to import natural gas from Russia's Far East if plans to bring the resource through North Korea fall through, Yonhap News quoted a government source as having said on Tuesday.

Which brings up North Korea and Russia...

Representative Ramras: Playing Footsies with the Ethics Law

Because of C4P, I had the chance to hear the recorded conversation of Representative Ramras on the Eddie Burke show.

Some interesting points were made.

1. Ramras had stock investments in B.P.

2. Ramras was introducing legislation that would have benefited them.

3. Ramras told the legislature that he had the stocks.

4. Ramras has lived here in Alaska a VERY long time, so that makes him an expert on the ethics laws in Alaska .

4. Since Ramras has been in Alaska a VERY long time, he must know Wally Hickel and how Wally Hickel knew the ethics laws too.

In summary of Ramras and his comments.

First, since Ramras has been in Alaska for a VERY long time, he must remember Wally Hickel's fiasco when it came to stocks Hickel owned.

When it comes to being a legislator, Ramras is an idiot. You put stocks in a blind trust or sell them when it comes time to vote on KEY legislation that could boost your stock value.

That way you avoid breaking the ethics law.

His excuse on Russia is irrelevant when you consider that he may be more motivated to make up his loss through other means?

That is how the FBI gets their man.. Through sting operations, they look to corrupt the vulnerable.

And last, Ramras gets bent out of shape over Palin wearing an Arctic Cat jacket?

Where is that Celtic Diva when there may be an honest-to-goodness reason for an ethics complaint to be filed.

This guy gives conservatives a bad name.

Pimp My Foreclosure: HUD Drives a Hard Bargain

It's a done deal, HUD accepted the offer.



I had to pay $300.00 dollars instead of the listed $200.00 for this one. Next step is fill out the appropriate paperwork and send the EMD and close.

After I close, I will be calling LOWES' Millwork and Flooring departments to get bids on the installation of windows and carpet for bedrooms.

Until July 17th, Lowes is offering basic installation on each window for $99.00.

I will be looking at Pella's vinyl Thermastar windows in the single hung with valance grids at the top. They will be filled with argon gas and have Pella's Sun Defense Low-E coating so the windows meet the federal energy tax credit.

For carpet, Lowes installs carpeting in the whole house for $139.00

I will be getting bids on electrical, plumbing and new shingles on the roof.

The type of carpet? To be decided. The carpeting will wait until work is done on the inside. But the windows can be done so that siding, sheet rock and painting can be completed.

Meanwhile I will be waiting on the news on a new addition.



Cross posted here.

The Washington Post Forgets There is a Hispanic Firefighter Who Didn't Get a Job

High Court Rules for White Firefighters in Discrimination Suit

It seems the Washington Post, in their headlines forgot that there was a Hispanic firefighter who was left in the cold by Hispanic Sonia Sotomayor.

The writer for WaPo tries some creative writing:

The city had thrown out the results of a promotion test because no African Americans and only two Hispanics would have qualified for promotions. It said it feared a lawsuit from minorities under federal laws that said such "disparate impacts" on test results could be used to show discrimination.

The city did not throw out the results because "only two Hispanics would have qualified for promotions".

The city had thrown out the results because African Americans were the ones who were going to file suit.

Once again the writers at the WaPo seem to be racists by playing the race card and diminishing the efforts of a Hispanic firefighter who was part of the victory.

So now that Sonia Sotomayor has her racist decision thrown out, the Hispanic firefighter who was denied a promotion based on race, can have the chance to succeed based on his efforts.

The Mutating Virus: A/Sao Paulo/1454/2009(H1N1

Influenza A virus (A/Sao Paulo/1454/2009(H1N1))

The mutating virus from Brazil that the WHO continues to deny is mutating.

That would make the production of the current vaccine, basically useless this fall.

Is John Conyers Next?

Is John Conyers Next?

The aide, Sam Riddle, said Conyers even helped draft a letter sent by her husband, Congressman John Conyers Jr., D-Mich., to help a man with whom she had financial ties. It is unclear whether John Conyers knew of his wife's alleged link to the businessman.

In that deal, Riddle said, Monica Conyers arranged for Riddle to get a $20,000 contract with Greektown entrepreneur Dimitrios (Jim) Papas in about 2007. Riddle said Papas hired him for crisis consulting and political advising -- but he was never asked to do any work. She then demanded $10,000 of that money as a "finder's fee," Riddle said.

At some point after Papas paid him, Riddle said, John Conyers sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in support of a controversial hazardous waste injection well in Romulus that one of Papas' companies was seeking to operate.

Federal investigators examined a variety of Monica Conyers' dealings. U.S. Attorney Terrence Berg said Sunday: "We didn't have any evidence the congressman was knowingly or intentionally involved in Ms. Conyers' illegal conduct."

Monica Conyers' lawyer wouldn't discuss Papas. And Papas did not return messages seeking comment

There is always a FBI agent that will go "Rogue" and tell the truth...This case on the jewelry is far from being over...

Riddle said Conyers also introduced him to the owner of Zeidman's Jewelry & Loan, a pawnshop whose efforts to relocate and expand in Southfield have become part of a federal probe into public corruption.

In that deal, Riddle said, Conyers collected jewelry from Zeidman's for her role, while Riddle received a five-figure fee and a watch from the pawnshop. Riddle said he gave some of that money to a Southfield councilman.

"You help my wife and I'll help you". And "baby look what I am wearing, guess who gave them to me", comes to mind.

Will Democrat Candidate Bob Poe Throw Bloggers Gryphen and Mudflats to the Curb?

Let's see it was Sunday, a day of religious rest for REAL Christians.




My apologies to any REAL Christians who may be offended by this. However it is my firm belief that REAL Christians would NEVER find something like this offensive anyhow.) Words of wisdom from Gryphen the Blogger

Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location, Gryphen discusses how he came to get his super natural powers that helped create the image of Palin.



The lampooning of Gryphen with the video aside, here is another Friends Of Poe (FOP) and Candidate Bob Poe supporter, that Bob Poe likes to wine and dine with...

Now, I may not be a REAL Christian, but I do know this.

The Hispanic community in Anchorage will not find it amusing, the Russian and all of the other Orthodox religions in this community will not find it amusing, so Candidate Bob Poe, what say you about the display of religious expression by your supporters who you actively engage to get their support?

Things like this have a way of sticking on a candidate when the candidate likes to hang out with them. Sort of like the Rev. Wright issue but on a local scale.

Hi I am Bob Poe and I Want to be Your Governor (No Photoshopping here)

There must be a subliminal message with Poe holding his prospective Lt. Governor with his middle finger extended.



But never fear, he is in good company.





Now I know where Mrs. Devon gets her potty mouth from and why she uses it.

Subliminal messages work on her, unless it is Watson the Wonder Dog urinating (I have been told by a higher authority "piss" is not a proper way to speak) on a tree.

Then she gets her signs crossed.

Bad News For The Hickel Boys: Sempra is Full

Larry Wood is a good guy, but when it comes to LNG out of Valdez he couldn't be so wrong.

First the All-Alaskan pipeline group pushed the Sempra facility in Baja as proof that the Valdez experiment would work. And on this site I pointed over and over again, the facility was going to be booked full and Gazprom was controlling it.

Here is the latest:

A second Sempra LNG receipt terminal, Energía Costa Azul, located in Baja California, Mexico, began commercial operation in 2008. It is the only LNG receipt terminal operating on the west coast of North America. The project's capacity is fully subscribed.

That is the reality, the capacity is fully subscribed and Gazprom got the contracts along with Shell Oil.

Now Larry is pushing the LNG to Asia. Larry thinks it will be competitive.

Why would TC and Exxon consider an LNG line to Valdez? Better prices and considerable interest from the Asian market. Why build a $40B U.S. pipeline 1,800 miles when a 3bcf per day pipeline into a market glut in the U.S. and Canada when a pipeline can be built 800 miles to Valdez using the Trans Alaska Pipeline easement with gas flowing for export within 3 years?

An LNG line will not compete with Russia's Sakhalin Field, period.

First and foremost, a spur-line has to piggyback off the main pipeline that goes through Canada to drive down the costs of a LNG facility in Valdez. A stand alone pipeline and facility won't cut it.

Next, with regard to statements made by TransCanada's Tony Palmer.

TransCanada Corp. told Alaska legislators June 23 it is getting serious interest in an LNG alternative to its all-land Alaska gas pipeline project as the company prepares for a 2010 initial open season.

Alternative to the all-land gas pipeline. Alternative is the operative word. Palmer wouldn't say who...

Also what did Palmer mean when he said:

"It would be an either/or situation for us, not both," he told the House Resources Committee in the committee's meeting.

That is a definite one or the other, not both. So the question should be asked of Palmer, are you entertaining the thought of not building the pipeline through Canada?

As stated on this site, there are problems with the all-land pipeline and there are problems with the LNG facility.

When you consider the following from Gazprom, you have to question the logic in entertaining the building of a LNG facility in Valdez:

Shell welcomed the proposal, which analysts said illustrated Gazprom's need for technologies and money to develop the difficult offshore fields rather than a government change of heart toward foreign investors.

"We consider it possible to continue a partnership with Shell on other fields, namely Sakhalin-3 and Sakhalin-4," Putin told Shell chief executive Jeroen van der Veer during a meeting Saturday at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence in the Moscow region.

Exxon was on Sakhalin 1, Shell Oil and Japan on Sakhalin 2, now you have 3 and 4 that will serve Asia and Sempra's Mexico facility.

There is no shipper on this planet earth that will be insulated from the pressures of Gazprom.

Because when you have this.

The two Japanese companies hold 12.5% and 10%, respectively, in the Sakhalin II oil and gas project being developed by Gazprom in the Russian Far East. Royal Dutch Shell controls a 27.5% stake

.

Gazprom will pull the agreements with Japan in a heart beat, if Japan does not serve the best interest of Gazprom. And last but not least, Putin's cronies have a lock on the steel coming from Oregon and IPSCO that would go to build a pipeline.

Unless of course we buy from China and that would be a whole can of worms to be opened if it came to be in the public discussion.

Journalist Files Charges against WHO and UN for Bioterrorism

This was an article that was sent to me about a journalist who has filed charges with the FBI that the WHO commited acts of bioterrorism to create a pandemic that would result in the mass distribution of the H1N1 vaccine.

While I think the allegations against the WHO are conspiracy driven on the bioterrorism charge, there is one point within the charges that is true.

1. The virus was man-made.

What is interesting from the pandemic issued by the WHO is this:

Swine flu shot campaign could involve 600M doses

ATLANTA (AP) — A potential fall swine flu immunization campaign may involve an unprecedented 600 million doses of vaccine, but health officials are still trying to figure out how to find enough workers to administer all those shots.

Someone has gotten rich off the pandemic. And again, the questions that needs to be answered is who had the seed strain and why is the WHO lying about the H1N1 being stable when it is mutating?

You have scientists in Brazil and Japan saying it has and now German scientists are getting in on the storyline that the virus has.

Related links:

Fear of swine flu mutating as city's death toll rises to 32 total

German authorities warn of swine flu mutation risk

John Dean Makes Legal Case on Sanford's E-mails

Interesting take by John Dean..

QUESTION: The facts are still emerging regarding these emails. But based on information provided by Gina Smith, the reporter who broke the story for The State, during an interview on the Rachel Maddow Show were provided to the newspaper anonymously. Reportedly, The State received them in December 2008 and sat on them until now. Gina Smith told Rachel that the newspaper spoke with its attorney before publishing them. Can you envision any possible exception to the copyright law that has given them comfort in publishing this material, particularly the emails from Sanford's lover?

ANSWER: Copyright protection is not available for a "work of the United States Government." However, that is defined as a work prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person's official duties. Even if sent via a government email account, the emails clearly were not drafted as part of the Governor's official duties. As such, they are not a work of the government, but are personal writings, in which he (and she) own the rights.

News organizations typically rely on the doctrine of "fair use," which has been developed through a substantial number of court decisions over the years and codified in 17 U.S.C. section 107 of the copyright law. Section 107 contains a list of the various purposes for which the reproduction of a particular work may be considered fair, such as news reporting.

The 1961 Report of the Register of Copyrights on the General Revision of the U.S. Copyright Law cites examples of activities that courts have regarded as fair use, including "quotation of short passages in a scholarly or technical work, for illustration or clarification of the author's observations" and "summary of an address or article, with brief quotations, in a news report."

The distinction between fair use and infringement may be unclear and not easily defined. There is no specific number of words, lines, or notes that may safely be taken without permission.

However, reprinting the emails in their entirety, word for word, probably goes well beyond permitted fair use. The news story could have been written by describing, summarizing or paraphrasing the emails, with a few brief quotations. Printing them all verbatim, or even including entire paragraphs as many news organizations have done, may be more than is legally permissible.

While the damage has been done, Sanford may have legal recourse against the persons involved in publishing the e-mails in their entirety.

Canada lobbies for Mackenzie pipeline

Canada lobbies for Mackenzie pipeline

WASHINGTON, June 22 (UPI) -- The Canadian government needs a level playing field in the natural gas sector as Washington pumps funds into an Alaskan gas pipeline, Canadian lawmakers say.

Canada is pushing for its Mackenzie Valley pipeline to the Lower 48, while Alaska lobbies for its own natural gas pipeline to the same markets.

Bob McLeod, the investment and industry minister for the Northwest Territories, is meeting with top lawmakers in Washington, including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on a fact-finding mission on the Alaskan route.

"I'm not here to convince the United States government (to back off its plans)," he told the Canadian newspaper the National Post. "I want to make sure that we convince our government (to level the playing field)."

McLeod said the Canadian government faces an uphill battle as measures making their way through Capitol Hill could bring financial support for the Alaskan pipeline to more than $40 billion.

Though natural gas is a key focal point in North America as the region moves away from foreign energy, both projects have faced obstacles in terms of soaring gas prices and government bureaucracy.

Both projects, meanwhile, face a grim future as technological developments in the extraction of gas from shale deposits diminish the urgency for conventional resources.

Meanwhile, Environmental Groups Want Canadian Oil Sands Permits Blocked

Several pipeline companies are pressing ahead with plans to transport additional volumes from Alberta's oil sands to refineries in the US.

However, environmental groups are urging Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to block the permits needed to transport the oil across the Canadian border to US delivery points.

The Alberta Clipper pipeline, sponsored by Enbridge, began construction this month and is expected to start deliveries in mid-2010 to connections in Superior, Wisconsin.

What's-her-name at Mudflats is Fraying at the Seams

First, what would you expect from the what's-her-name clan that goes round telling people Fuck You Tom

Think someone who gets a little pissy over a blog entry written about the what's-her-name clan, can stay above the fray themselves?

Yo, Mrs. what's-her-name clan, take the advice you give once in a while. It's called you are fraying at the seams.

In case you didn't notice, Governor Palin is above the fray..



It is idiots like yourselves who are stuck in the mud, wallowing in the muck along with the other idiots that put the photo of Soros on the Obama picture.

Two peas in a pod , er Mudflats come to mind?

Here is some advice, never compare yourself with someone who is equal to your own idiocy... A negative and a negative still is a negative.

Palin would be wise to ignore your clan's petty and catty personalities and leave the clean-up work to others.

Oh and by the way Mrs. Devon, you still are a potty mouth....

Taxes Are The Sticking Point With AGIA, Says Exxon

This has always been a sticking point on AGIA: fiscal certainty

When ExxonMobil joined TransCanada their officials said Exxon's eventual intention is to build the pipeline under the state's AGIA terms. During Tuesday testimony, however, ExxonMobil's Marty Massey said AGIA's 10-year tax terms are too short.

The Palin administration says now is not the time to start this debate.

Revenue Commissioner Pat Galvin says, "We believe there is a significant distinction between what the producers want and what they say they want, and what they are ultimately going to need."

This is Palin's problem which will plague her.

All of the hoopla on the Exxon/TansCanada partnership was not discussed on this site because along with issues that surround the Mackenzie pipeline in Canada, the fiscal certainty issue is what will drive the gas pipeline to be a successful endeavor or not.

The fiscal certainty issue has been written about here on this site for some time.

And Commissioner Galvin knows fiscal certainty is the sticking point and he knows the costs to pull gas hydrates out of heavy oil is very expensive.

Galvin did address the fiscal terms of AGIA when he stated:

Galvin said there are two parts to any discussion on fiscal terms, one being the amount of "state take," or revenues, going to the state government, and the second being "fiscal stability," or the freezing of existing tax rates for a period of time.

"On state take, the administration's position is still that the project is profitable now and there is no need to alter the fiscal situation. But we have always made the opportunity available for people to provide us with information that changes are needed," Galvin said. "On fiscal stability, this is already provided for under AGIA, which allows for 10 years of fixed terms for production taxes for gas committed to an AGIA-licensed project."

This issue on fiscal certainty, if not resolved, will sink the project.

Related Links:

AGIA: What's it all about and who really wins

Fagan and Halcro: Know it all Palin Bashers

Is Obama the "Powers that Be" on Stopping ACORN Hearings

In today's news Conyers came out and said hearings are off on ACORN.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. has backed off his plan to investigate purported wrongdoing by the liberal activist group ACORN, saying ?powers that be? put the kibosh on the idea.

It must be Obama, since Conyer's wife has today, plead guilty to bribery. The nudge from the Obama administration to Conyers that he could be next, would be enough to stop the hearings cold.

Nepotism and Corruption is Alive and Well in The John Conyers Clan

Next time a dumb ass Democrat spouts off how Republicans are corrupt, the Republican party should start showing some cajones and make Rep. John Conyers the poster child of nepotism and corruption.

This will certainly flush Obama out when it comes time for an election of the Corrupt Bastards Club of Detroit.

You think Alaska had its problems? The Conyers clan of Michigan alone, beats Alaska.

Detroit --While City Council president this year, Monica Conyers hired her aunt in the council's administrative offices, which manages payroll, travel and purchases for the council members.

Politicians hiring family is not new, but Sunceria Garrett's job adds to the list of Conyers' relatives who are or have recently drawn City Hall paychecks. Conyers has employed her eldest son periodically. Her brother got a position in the city's Buildings and Safety Engineering Department. And her niece works for the mayor's office.

Another staffer who has worked in Conyers' office for at least two years, Kimberly Hutchinson, lives at the same address as Conyers' mom, according to Secretary of State records.

(...)

Coit Ford, a public policy assistant to council President Kenneth Cockrel Jr., on Wednesday would only confirm that Garrett, 50, was on staff, but wouldn't provide her salary or hire date. City records show that last year Hutchinson's base salary was $52,000. The council president handles the $2.2 million budget for council administration, including the hiring and firing of administrative staff.

The city has no ban on elected officials hiring relatives, and officials have debated adding an anti-nepotism provision to the ethics ordinance.

Former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick employed several relatives including uncles and cousins. Council President Kenneth Cockrel Jr. who, following Kilpatrick's resignation, served as mayor until May, hired his wife's half-uncle, John Clark, as his chief of staff. He was let go after Clark was caught on electronic surveillance accepting a payment or payments in relation to the sewage contract. He hasn't been charged.

Conyers served as council president while Cockrel was interim mayor. She's since returned to her old post as council president pro-tem.

Councilman Kwame Kenyatta said he'd back a ban on hiring relatives. He said he hasn't hired any while on council. But his wife, Monifa, was appointed by Wayne County commissioners to complete his term on the panel after he was elected to council. That's something of a tradition for the post that pays about $68,000 a year. A few years earlier, Cockrel's wife, Kim, was appointed to his seat when he joined the council.

"The use of the office for personal and family gain, that in itself is something we should guard against," Kenyatta said.

Garrett was Conyers' treasurer during her council run in 2005 and Hutchinson also worked on the campaign, records show.

In April, The Detroit News reported that Conyers -- whose maiden name is Esters -- gave the resumes of her brother, Reginald Esters, and other former convicts to Amru Meah, the head of Buildings & Safety Engineering at the time.

Esters was eventually fired by Meah for attendance issues. In April he was sentenced to five years in prison for brandishing a shotgun at several people last summer in the city.

Conyers' son, John Conyers III, worked for her on and off starting in July 2006, at one point for about $15 an hour.

Ellen Conyers has worked in the mayor's Office of Neighborhood Commercial Development since at least October 2006. Tolliver told the Detroit Free Press in April that Conyers had nothing to do with getting her niece the $63,000 a year job.

Someone should ask Obama what does he think of the nepotism and corruption in the Conyers clan...

Calling B.S. On Russia's Good Cop Bad Cop Routine

I had written earlier how Russia likes to play bad cop with Obama on the economy.

Well Russia, two days ago, had played bad cop again by saying they are unhappy with the deal struck between the U.S. and Kyrgyzstan.

The government officials have got to be kidding on this latest good cop bad cop routine when you consider this and this.

Medvedev welcomes U.S.-Kyrgyzstan base deal in surprise move

Kyrgyzstan agreed U.S. base deal with Russia -source

Sarah Palin -- The Last Republican Standing?

Sarah Palin -- The Last Republican Standing?

Two weeks after David Letterman’s forced apology to Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska, and days after Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina teamed with Senator John Ensign of Nevada for admittance to the “Adulterer/Hypocrite Hall of Shame,” Palin is starting to appeal to more and more Republicans…and Americans. As well she should.

(...)

Now, while the left, their handmaidens in the media, alleged feminists, and various late-night comics will flat out tell you that it’s over for Sarah Palin, I would beg to differ. Despite the most unprofessional, unethical, and unrelenting character assassination in modern U.S. political history, not only is she still standing tall, but still retains that “it” factor. She is very comfortable in her own skin, believes what she believes, and is not afraid to challenge the tenets of political correctness or speak-up for traditional values when needed. Attributes that tens of millions of Americans believe actually qualifies someone to be president.

The author goes on and points out why McCain owes Palin an apology... This is a good read.

Would you Want to Pay Over $3000.00 a Year in Property Taxes on This House?

I am going to take a hard line on this thread and it may offend some but so be it.

I grew up in and around Detroit Michigan, my family also grew up in Detroit.

My dad lived his boyhood on Seminole and hung out with his friends at Belle Isle. So my family has seen Detroit change for the worse over the years.

For the most part, going back to the 70's, Detroit has had African American Mayors who were by party affiliation, Democrat and Detroit has seen its share of corruption in these Mayors.

Arguably Coleman Young started the trend of corruption and some successors followed in his path, namely Kwame Kilpatrick.

The purpose of this thread is to make a political statement about race and racism and how it plays on the African American community in Detroit. And how African American leaders who are Democrats are hypocrites to people of their own race.

The term "Uncle Tom" was/is used in a derogatory manner towards blacks who are perceived to take the position of being the carrier of the "white" message.

Black conservatives like Thomas Sowell and Clarence Thomas to name a few, fit that term that has been used against them.

These are black conservatives who arguably are held under a racist ideology by the left and people of their own race.

But when you consider black leaders namely Kwame Kilpatrick and Coleman Young, they in effect became "the man" holding the black man down.

I will use a very simple example and it deals with home ownership. Through my endeavors, I am investing in real estate in Michigan. I like Detroit and I think it has potential to come back.

My focus has been on foreclosures and from this, I plan to show the trials and tribulations through the blog Pimp My Foreclosure.

On a previous thread, I had pointed out how high property taxes are to blame on many of the foreclosures. People could not pay their property taxes in 2006, and 2007 while trying to pay their mortgages.

I will use the house below to show you how ridicules the taxes are in Detroit. And I will show you the cause and effect of tax policies of the past with Detroit Mayors Coleman Young and Kwane Kilpatrick who in effect, robbed people of their own race to pay off their cronies who were the white union bosses and corrupt businessmen.

So the question has to be asked of the people of Detroit, why do you continue to focus on a man's color when you vote, instead of how he stands on issues?

This behavior will not likely change in the near future, so it is with great hope, that Mayor Bing will look at implementing policies that are conservative in nature and quit stealing from the people of Detroit through outrageous property taxes and feeding the corruption that has existed in Detroit for years.

So without further comments on the matter of politics, here is a picture of a house that was $200.00. The story behind this purchase is my real estate agent in Michigan had sent me this listing with a short comment.

I thought he was joking until I read the engineer's report and looked at the area it is in.

The term "beauty is only skin deep" fits this 875 square foot house.

It looks like a lot of work on the surface, but the foundation and the structure are better than some more expensive houses that have surfaces that look great, but have serious problems with the foundations.



So, when you look at this photo, think to yourself, how could a city government justify charging the previous owners who lived in this house, just over $3200.00 a year in taxes?

All I can say is Mr. Bing is going to get a letter and link if I close on this one, asking him to justify the taxes.

Even if this house was fixed, the taxes are too high and this is happening on many residents in Detroit.

And the truth will set you Free: US swine flu total hits one million

Now ask yourself why is it that you have been lied to about the swine flu...

As many as one million Americans now have swine flu, US health officials said, adding that 6% or more of some urban areas are infected.

Back in May, numbers were 10,000 Worldwide

Granted they are confirmed numbers, but the figures used were done to make the outbreak look small.

The Other Woman in Sanford's Life

Facebook Link

The important question is who had the e-mails and how did someone get the personal e-mails?

In an interview on CNN's "Larry King Live," State reporter John O'Connor said the newspaper was sent the messages from the governor's personal e-mail account by an anonymous person.

"We didn't know that they were true, basically, until this week, and events that happened this week, things the governor said today, finding him at an airport in Atlanta coming back from Buenos Aires, authenticated the e-mails," O'Connor said.

So we have a possible scenario where a woman gave up the goods on Sanford?

Kathleen Sebelius Gives 35 Million Dollars to Company Going Into Bankruptcy

US Company produces Swine Flu vaccine

So what happened to September? That was pushed ahead to July but now we see that the vaccine was being produced last week.

As reported by the Washington (AFP) , The Protein Sciences Corporation has turned out their first batch of doses -- about 100,000 -- against (A)H1N1 flu last week and they’re continuing to manufacture it reports Adams, the chief executive officer of Connecticut-based Corporation.

So the press continues to publish stories without asking the question, who had the seed strain and who gave it to the labs.

But wait there is more, how about those investors?

UPDATE 2-Creditors seek bankruptcy for H1N1 vaccine maker

NEW YORK, June 23 (Reuters) - Creditors of Protein Sciences Corp filed court papers to put the maker of a vaccine for the H1N1 flu into bankruptcy, and the company's CEO warned that the "gloves were off" in a battle against "bad people."

A week after Protein Sciences ramped up production of its vaccine, three creditors with total claims of $11.7 million filed an involuntary Chapter 7 petition in Delaware late on Monday, asking the bankruptcy court to appoint a trustee to replace management.

The bankruptcy filing listed a subsidiary of Emergent BioSolutions (EBS.N) as the largest creditor in the Chapter 7 filing, with a claim of $11.5 million.

In May 2008, Protein Sciences reached an agreement to sell the company to Emergent for as much as $78 million in cash, convertible securities and future payments, but the deal soon fell apart.

Meriden, Connecticut-based Protein Sciences said last week it began producing up to 100,000 doses per week of a vaccine that protects humans against the H1N1 flu, which the World Health Organization has declared a pandemic.

The company has said it was told by the U.S. government that it had been awarded a $150 million five-year contract to develop its flu vaccine, although the contract has not yet been signed.

Protein Sciences' chief executive, Dan Adams, called the bankruptcy filing a "strategic move" and said it would not succeed.

"They've tried every trick in the book," said Adams, a co-founder of biotech company Biogen Idec Inc. "I'm tired of being abused by these people. They're bad people and they will pay for that."

Emergent of Rockville, Maryland, said earlier this month that it had filed suit to take possession of Protein Sciences' assets, which collateralized a $10 million loan that it made to Protein Sciences in connection with acquisition agreement.

"Protein Sciences walked away from that transaction a year ago after defrauding us. They committed fraud by encouraging us to lend them $10 million without ever intending to proceed with the asset purchase agreement," said Denise Esposito, Emergent's senior counsel. "This is not a scheme to purchase the company for less than fair value. There's no way to protect the collateral except with court oversight."

Shares of Emergent BioSolutions were down 0.4 percent at $13.99 at mid-day.

The case is In re: Protein Sciences Corp, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware, No. 09-12151. (Reporting by Tom Hals and Santosh Nadgir; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn and Steve Orlofsky)

There was not one mention made on this company having the vaccine ready, then all of a sudden, they have it?

Well not to worry, Kathleen Sebelius is on the trail to throw out money...

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The U.S. government is investing in a new technique for making flu vaccines that it hopes will help the nation respond quickly to outbreaks such as the H1N1 swine flu virus.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on Tuesday her department had awarded a $35 million contract to privately held Protein Sciences Corp Inc of Meriden, Connecticut, to use its new gene-based techniques to develop a vaccine and test it in clinical trials.

So how did Protein Sciences lead the charge on this?

Breaking News From The MudFlats On Palin

What's-her-name has some breaking news on three complaints that will be filed against Palin.

I wonder if the ethics complaints against Palin will be made public which goes against the ethics laws?

What are the odds that what's her name will give a rats ass about the ethics law in the first place when she is going public about the complaints.

See why what's-her-name is an idiot?

As for the IRS deal, don't worry Tim Geithner has that covered...

In the World Of Politics, If You Are A Republican, Your Personal Life Matters

The Christian Science Monitor has an article titled Sanford’s affair: a distraction the GOP doesn’t need.

The writer goes on to explain that:

But more critically, it will no doubt be a huge distraction from the real task before the Republican Party: to come up with a credible alternative vision to the one President Obama offers, to find a leader who can articulate it, and to shake off the shroud of hypocrisy that befalls the family-values party whenever one of its own admits to adultery.

There is an odd reality in politics and as I said briefly in the previous thread, Republicans are held to a higher standard. The same sentiment was stated today by Mark Levin on his radio show; Republican politicians are held to a higher standard.

And as such, their personal life becomes overly scrutinized by the media in order to find fault in their personal life so to destroy them.

Case in point, Sarah Palin.

Because of this, I put up the previous thread as a statement of fact.

This is the harsh political reality; Sanford is done and Palin will benefit politically from this.

The Christian Science Monitor ignores Palin entirely in the story, while Palin continues to shake off the barrage of mindless and false attacks.

The fact that Sanford's behavior was going on, and top Republican operatives within the Republican party were putting Sanford out there, should tell you the state of health the GOP is in.

As Larry Sabato was quoted in the article, Sanford is done. However, Sabato's thinking on what is wrong with the GOP couldn't be further from the truth.

“This just underlines again that Republican politicians should leave the preaching of moral values to preachers,” says Larry Sabato, a political scientist at the University of Virginia. “Until they move away from divisive social issues, this is going to happen to them again and again.”

It isn't divisive social issues that are the problem, it is how members within each party conduct themselves.

And the usual suspects in the mainstream media are trying to establish a connection between Sanford and Clinton.

What’s that old saying about throwing stones and glass houses? It sure comes to mind today. And it relates to President Clinton and two Republicans who just admitted they cheated on their wives.

The mainstream idiots like Alan Colmes still don't get it because they are part of a political philosophy that doesn't understand that human nature is not without faults but one should try to stay on high moral ground.

Lying about sexual misconduct against women or lying about having sex in the White House and having an impeachable offense pointed at you can't even come close to what Sanford did.

But the dumb ass left will try their damnedest to make it stick as they have tried so many times with Governor Palin; which leads me back to Sabato's comments about a leader for the GOP.

News flash for Sabato, it's a pro-life woman who has taken the heat when she shouldn't have and continued to press on.

When it comes to social issues, the recognition of individual liberties and the protection of those liberties is the cornerstone of the Republican platform.

The debate on the liberties of an unborn child as an example, is not an issue for the Sunday church pulpit, it is an issue for political debate.

Unfortunately if you are Republican, your personal matters are scrutinized and compared with Democrat politicians like Clinton who committed illegal acts and lied about them.

The left in their deranged way, demonize and pawn off equality with their own misdeeds through comparisons. But that is how Democrats operate when it comes to equality, they can never recognize it.

Fortunately, when it comes to the general public, they want leaders who take the moral high ground and they recognize leaders can falter at times, but what they don't want is; a leader who wallows in misdeeds and deception and presents it as truth.

Let the Democrat party be the party of politicians who take the low road and present the road as if paved with gold....

And let the Republican party be the party of politicians that take the high road and present it as the less traveled road with potholes and ditches.

And in the end, the general public will decide on which politician they want to follow and which road they will choose to travel with them on.

My bet is the general populace will follow one who has taken the less traveled road to get where they did.

So take note Sabato, Palin has Carharts, hip waders and boots. That should be enough to tell you what road she has been on.

Trouble is, the mainstream media with all of their B.S., forced her to put on those hip waders one too many times.

Palin's Chances Improve for 2012 Primary

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admits affair



Republicans are held to a higher standard and as such this issue will stay with him if he ran in a campaign.

Related Link:

76% Say Government Likely To Waste Stimulus Money

Joke of the Day: Iran minister says CIA funding "rioters"

Link

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's interior minister on Wednesday accused U.S. spy agency the CIA of helping to fund "rioters," stepping up accusations of Western involvement in street unrest following the country's disputed election.

Iran is supporting terrorists and they come up with we are supporting "rioters."

Has the interior minister forgotten it's the Obama administration he is talking about.

Bush is gone...Iran's talking points have to change along with all of the change Obama brought along with him.

Iran Plays Politics in Sports so the U.S. Should Play it Back

I wasn't kidding when I said the United States should lead the charge on kicking North Korea out of the 2010 World Cup and seek to revoke the decision to hold the Olympics in Sochi Russia.

I stated that politics has always played a role in sports. From Hilter's political ambitions to use the Olympics as a political statement, to Jesse Owens' victories at the Olympics held in Germany becoming a political smack down; to the Israeli olympic team being killed by Palestinian terrorists; to the one fist held in the air salute of the black power movement; to green wrist bands being worn by members of Iran's soccer team, sports has always been a venue for the public display of politics.

From the individual to countries, that is a reality.

And a most recent display of politics in sports is Iran's decision to expel from the team, members who displayed their solidarity with the opposition.



June 17: Iran's national soccer team players pose, some wearing green wristbands in a sign of support for Iranian opposition leader.

This leaves the door open for a movement within congress to take Iran's actions and turn it around and force the issue of removing North Korea from the 2010 World Cup and revoke the decision to hold the Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

As long as Russia plays the enabler, then they should be held accountable and the U.S. would be on the high ground on taking the position, while pointing to Iran's actions towards the individuals on the soccer team.

Did Obama Sell His Soul to Russia : US, Kyrgyzstan Reach Deal on Continued Use of Manas Air Base

Russia's Putin likes to play bad cop with Obama when it comes to the economy. Obama wants to play the good cop with nukes and foreign affairs with Russia.

Obama and Putin are from the same cloth and the talk may be slightly off key from each other but they walk the same.

Russia's official position on Iran:

Lavrov said the Russian side had congratulated the Iranian president when the results of the presidential election were announced. “As to fairness, openness and democratic nature of the election, these matters should be decided on the basis of Iranian laws,” the Russian minister stressed. “As far as I can see, a debate in Iranian society, also at the top level, is conducted on these themes, and appropriate measures are taken.”

At the same time Lavrov expressed concern over “the outbreaks of violence in Tehran and other cities” and called on everyone “to show restraint, to keep from infringing Iranian law.” “This is in the interests of the development of Iranian society, in the interests of stability,” he said.

Obama's position on Georgia:

“We call on the Georgian government and on everybody who is going to take part in the April 9 demonstration to do their best and ensure that the action is peaceful, and no violence brakes out,” State Department spokesman Robert Wood was quoted by Novosti Gruzia as saying.

“As Georgia’s friends, the United States stand by all of its citizens making an effort to build democracy,” he said.

The difference here is with Obama the good cop. He is no real friend to Georgia. He will sell them out in a minute.

In the latest news on the Afghanistan front, the question has to be asked; what did Obama sell to Russia to keep military operations in Kyrgyzstan?

The United States and Kyrgyzstan have reached a deal on the continued use of a Kyrgyz air base to transport supplies for the U.S. military in Afghanistan.

The news comes four months after Kyrgyzstan's parliament voted to evict U.S. troops from the Manas air base near the country's border with Kazakhstan.

I talked about the horse trading that was taking place between Putin's Medvedev and Obama at the G20. And it is horse trading that Governor Palin should pay attention to.

Obama's way of conducting foreign policy is to go along with Russia. Not operate from a point of strength.

So what did Obama sell to Russia to keep the base open? What price is the United States going to pay?

For starters,

Obama is doing nothing on Georgia. And Russia needs Georgia to run pipelines. Guess who wins there. Putin.

On the missile defense system. Obama is talking about partnering up with Russia on a missile defense system. This is what Russia wants. Putin wins.

On Iran, Russia takes the position of enabler with the current regime in Iran. That is what Russia wants. Putin wins.

Putin's Medvedev and the U.S. talk about arms reduction when Russia through its proxy countries like Iran, use their (Iran's) build up as a means to hold an upper hand over the United States. You see, Iran can achieve parity in a quicker manner when the United States reduces its arms. The United States loses, Putin wins and Obama leaves the United States vulnerable.

Of course the MSM won't talk about it. They will just point to the holding of hands between Putin's Medvedev and Obama with regard to talks on nuclear arms reduction between the U.S. and Russia and the partnering of a missile defense system against Iran.

Russia Plays the Enabler to Iran

Russia says Iran's election an "internal affair"

As long as Russia plays the enabler to Iran's antics, Iran will do what it wants. Obama needs to take a tough stance with Russia.

But he won't...

Obama likes to talk tough and that is it.

Looks like Israel will have to take a direct, tough stance against Iran.

Is The CDC and WHO Lying About The Swine Flu Virus: 81 U.S. healthcare workers have H1N1 virus

81 U.S. healthcare workers have H1N1 virus

At least 81 U.S. healthcare workers have contracted laboratory-confirmed cases of the novel H1N1 influenza virus and about half caught the bug on the job, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.

The finding is worrisome because it suggests that hospitals and workers are not taking sufficient preventive measures to limit the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, the CDC has stated:

Virologists received a bit of a scare this week when researchers at the Adolfo Lutz Bacteriological Institute in Sao Paulo, Brazil, reported that they had isolated a mutated H1N1 virus from a patient who had recovered.

But academic researchers and scientists at the CDC discounted the report, noting that there were no changes in the portions of the virus that would alter its ability to spread or its pathogenicity.

But wait, what are investors concerned about?

Containing The Mutating H1N1 Flu Virus: (NASDAQ:NVAX), (NYSE:AZN), (NYSE:NVS), (NYSE:SNY)

BioMedReports.com, the news portal covering the biomedical sector that delivers financial and investment intelligence to a community of highly informed investors has initiated a special report on news of the mutation of the H1N1 Flu virus and it examines which companies may be able to help.

The new strain of influenza appears to have mutated to become more infectious for humans, the online edition of science magazine Nature reported, referencing research by a team including Professor Yoshihiro Kawaoka of Tokyo University's Institute of Medical Science.

Dr. Kawaoka is very well known for the breakthrough of artificially-made influenza, as well as for remodeling ebola virus into a safe one which increases only in particular cells.

Although the new strain of Influenza identified this year that spread widely from Mexico seems to have converged, the next one is said to be coming in already without a sound; the mutant virus.

Companies with both existing and new products for treating the swine flu are covered in the special report.

They include:

Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ:NVAX)
AstraZeneca PLC (NYSE:AZN)
Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)
Sanofi-Aventis SA (NYSE:SNY)

(emphasis added)

I posted the story on the mutation here.

And I posted about GlaxoSmithKline and their delay on a H1N1 vaccine even though they had the first contracts to supply the vaccine.

Now they are a few months from distribution of a vaccine, while labs listed above will be distributing a H1N1 vaccine in July. This would indicate Glaxo IS working on a new strain.

The fact that the H1N1 virus is mutating, but the CDC is denying that it is and the World Health Organization has denied that the H1N1 virus was man-made, when stories now show that its origin came from Russian scientists should make one pause and ask why are these organizations not telling the truth.

The Obama Factor: Bringing Change to the Five Day Rule

Remember that five day rule before Obama would sign a law? Changed.

Five months into his administration, Mr. Obama has signed two dozen bills, but he has almost never waited five days. On the recent credit card legislation, which included a controversial measure to allow guns in national parks, he waited just two.

(...)

Now, in a tacit acknowledgment that the campaign pledge was easier to make than to fulfill, the White House is changing its terms. Instead of starting the five-day clock when Congress passes a bill, administration officials say they intend to start it earlier and post the bills sooner.

(...)

Jim Harper, director of information policy studies at the Cato Institute, a libertarian-leaning research organization, has tracked Mr. Obama’s bill-signing history. He said posting bills before final passage could be problematic because of last-minute changes.

One glaring example came in February, when it was discovered that the 1,071-page federal stimulus bill allowed millions of dollars in bonuses for American International Group executives.

If members of Congress know that final language will be “sitting out there” for five days, Mr. Harper said, they might be less likely to try to slip in questionable items. And if Mr. Obama keeps his pledge to wait five days, Mr. Harper said, he might set an example for Congress.

I have seen the light now. When Obama spoke about change, he meant for himself.

It seems others have seen the light too.

Thirty-four percent (34%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -2. That’s the President’s lowest rating to date and the first time the Presidential Approval Index has fallen below zero for Obama (see trends).

69% in Michigan Say Government Should Sell Shares in GM, Chrysler ASAP

69% in Michigan Say Government Should Sell Shares in GM, Chrysler ASAP

Most adults in Michigan (69%) say the government should sell its shares in General Motors and Chrysler as soon as possible.

Note to Republican Big Wigs: Robert Bobb is Doing What Should Have Been Started by the GOP

Education along with the economy are touchstone issues that will drive voters to vote.



During school board elections, I would campaign on the very topic that Robert Bobb is taking action on; cutting the waste out of school budgets and making sure the appropriate money makes its way into the classroom..

After the Detroit Board of Education fired its superintendent and the state determined the district was in financial emergency, Gov. Jennifer Granholm appointed Bobb to his one-year post effective in March. State law gives him — not the school board — broad authority over the district's finances and budget, and he's using it. He's eliminated cabinet positions, slashed other administrative posts, promised more staff and teacher cuts, closed schools, overseen audits, publicized prosecutions of former employees and is trying to balance a budget with a deficit of $304 million and rising.

As I pointed out in Alaska, less than 50% of the budget makes its way into the classroom.

I will bet that Detroit sees a similar percentage that makes its way into the classroom in Anchorage.

What strikes me about the actions by Robert Bobb is; the GOP has been silent on this issue for years.

The GOP will continue to lose elections, because they put up candidates and put loads of money behind them with the same message that Democrats have.

President Bush was another prime example on education.. He grew the federal budget when the system was corrupt and was wasting tax dollars. Republicans followed and they lost elections.

Now comes along a man who is starting to make appropriate cuts in Detroit Michigan's school system and the GOP is left out of the equation...

Father's Day Tribute

Dow To Collaborate With Gazprom On Carbon Reduction Projects - Update

Dow To Collaborate With Gazprom On Carbon Reduction Projects - Update

(RTTNews) - Thursday, The Dow Chemical Co. (DOW: News ) and Gazprom Marketing and Trading Limited, a division of Russia-based gas producer Gazprom, revealed a memorandum of understanding to develop and implement greenhouse gas or GHG, reduction projects on a global basis.

(...)

Aiming to reduce millions of tons of CO2 emissions,the two companies will work to identify global projects that qualify for Clean Development Mechanism or Joint Implementation status according to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change requirements. The two entities would also collaborate on projects in the U.S. carbon market.

Related Link:

Law of the Sea Meets 'Legacy Time'

Bring Politics Into the World Cup: Ban North Korea

The idea of banning North Korea from the 2010 World Cup should be carried out through action.

And the reason why is; one it slaps down the North Korean leader before the people of North Korea and two, it will tell the citizens of North Korea, as long as your leader plays the insane dictator, your collective body will play by your collective rules.

Meaning, you want communism and the collective approach over individualism, then you live by the rules of communism.

This argument against bringing politics into sports is ludicrous. It has been done through the ages.

As Iranians prepare for the country's increasingly unpredictable presidential election, a national football disappointment yesterday provided a paradoxical boost for those hoping to unseat the incumbent hardliner, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

President Ahmadinejad faces a serious challenge from Mir Hossein Musavi, who is reviving the hopes of the long-demoralised reformist camp. Musavi, a former prime minister, benefited when Iran drew 0-0 against North Korea - reinforcing worries that the beautiful game has declined along with the Islamic Republic's economic situation and international standing during Ahmadinejad's stormy four-year term.

For many football-crazy Iranians, especially the young people who form the majority of the population, the "axis of evil" fixture in Pyongyang, which all but ended Iran's 2010 World Cup hopes, reinforced the sense that it is time for change.

It's time to be honest about it. Plus the United States could turn it into a two-fer. North Korea beat Iran and North Korea could be banned.

And last but not least; for Russia's actions with Georgia, the United States should be leading the charge to revoke the decision on holding the Olympic games in Sochi, Russia.

That could make it a trifecta in sports...

Russian Flu Might Provide Immunity to Swine Flu

Russian flu might provide immunity to swine flu

The current strain of H1N1 swine flu is genetically similar to Russian flu. Dr. Mermel speculates that individuals old enough to have had exposure to Russian flu might carry some degree of immunity to swine flu. The weeks ahead will test his theory.

The World Health Organization said the H1N1 was not man-made.

However, on this website it was pointed out that the H1N1's origin could be man-made here, here and here.

Nice to know that the WHO is putting out information that may not be correct.

Mr. and Mrs. Conyers: A Match Made on Corruption

Add another twist to the corruption charges against Monica Conyers.

A new scandal surfaced Friday morning surrounding Detroit city council president pro tem Monica Conyers.

According to a report in the Detroit News, federal agents are investigating allegations that Conyers received thousands of dollars in jewelry from a Detroit pawn shop.

The Detroit News report said that the owner of Zeidman Jewelry and Loan gave Conyers up to $40,000 in jewelry to discourage a plan to increase regulation of his type of business.

There are other allegations that Conyers was to receive a payment for a favorable vote on an investment proposal when she was a trustee for the General Retirement System.

The allegations related to the pawn shop have surfaced as part of a wide-ranging investigation of corruption within the Detroit City Hall.

Meanwhile, calls of a conflict of interest are being thrown at Rep. John Conyers.




It would be an interesting time to see former NBA star Dave Bing run against John Conyers.

As Michigan Messenger reported Tuesday night, at the end of the Detroit special mayoral election victory party for Dave Bing at the Doubletree hotel, Monica Conyers appeared on stage wearing a hat with her name boldly stitched into it. That seemed a little odd since Conyers’ husband, U.S. Rep. John Conyers, had endorsed Bing’s opponent, Ken Cockrel Jr., during the race. According to a well-placed source who was at Bing victory party, Conyers was not only not invited to be there, but was told to get off stage — in no uncertain terms.

My bet is Bing would win in a heart beat...

A Holistic Approach to Developing The Arctic Waters

Earlier I posted a thread on Conoco researching ice loads on tankers. Now in a recent article in the Petroleum News, Conoco chief naval architect Peter Noble told an audience "We really need to look at the Arctic in a holistic way.”

Interesting word, holistic. What does he mean?

"...There are a lot of issues around the environment,” he explained. “There are local inhabitants that need to be considered as a high priority. They live there; it’s their backyard."

The environment....

In May of 2008, the Calgary Herald had an article that was titled:

Study of Arctic oil and gas show bonanza for Russia

The article briefly mentions Russia sending conflicting messages on resolving Arctic seabed boundaries and because of that, Canada has introduced legislation that strengthens its sovereignty over Arctic waters.

A leading Canadian expert on circumpolar politics is praising the Conservative government for strengthening the country's control over its Arctic waters through environmental legislation that came into force last week.

The measures, which received royal assent on June 11, extend Canadian authority over Arctic shipping by an additional 100 nautical miles - about 185 kilometres - beyond the current 100-mile control zone in waters off Canada's northern coastline.

There is good reason for Canada's action. As I stated in previous threads on the Governor's choice for Attorney General for Alaska, questions should be asked of the prospective Attorney General about his stance on the United Nations Law of the Sea Treaty.

It is well known that Russia under the treaty will dominate the Arctic region and as such, Canada has recognized this by strengthening their laws to protect themselves even though their position was to ratify the treaty.

University of Calgary political scientist Rob Huebert - an advocate for greater investment in Canada's capacity to assert Arctic sovereignty, but also a critic of some Conservative policies in the North - applauded the move.

"I think it's outstanding that we've finally gotten a government that is willing to actually make (the Act) what it's supposed to be: a clear expression of Canadian control over its Arctic waters," he told Canwest News Service on Thursday. "At the heart of it, that's what the sovereignty issue in the Northwest Passage is all about. . . . This shows we're in control."

Huebert said the legislation is particularly important when combined with another Conservative initiative aimed at making mandatory - under the federal NORDREG system - the registration of foreign ships passing through Canadian Arctic waters.

When it comes to exploration, as I stated, the polar bear issue will affect Canada and Alaska. Not Russia.

The habitat of the polar bear is sea ice and when it comes to a "holistic" approach on the development of the Arctic, the polar bear habitat will come into play, under the LOS Treaty.

Research of the environment, sea ice and ratifying the LOS treaty may make the Gulf of Mexico look more profitable when it comes to developing gas hydrates. Thus leaving the Arctic waters off the shores of Alaska undeveloped.



The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy, an icebreaker based in Seattle, Wash., breaks ice in support of scientific research in the Arctic Ocean. New Tory party measures extending Canadian authority over Arctic shipping by an additional 100 nautical miles beyond the current 100-mile control zone in waters off Canada's northern coastline are being praised Thursday bu Arctic specialist Rob Huebert.
Herald Archive

To make this argument, on sea ice, Senator Kerry's comments on ratifying the treaty should cause the Palin administration to pause.

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.) is crafting a strategy to ratify the long-stalled Law of the Sea Treaty this year -- a move that ocean and foreign policy experts say is increasingly important as climate change reshapes the Arctic.

Kerry said this week that he is working to find time for a hearing and votes on the treaty, which governs navigation, fishing, economic development and environmental standards on the open seas.

"I hope we're ready to ratify it. I am going to do everything in my power, but I want to do it on the right schedule," Kerry told reporters. "We're sort of working through that process carefully."

His remarks came after a "roundtable" that the Foreign Relations Committee hosted to get advice on the Arctic from experts on the region, ocean conservation advocates and foreign policy strategists. Among the panelists' many recommendations to address the drastic changes in the Arctic economy and ecosystem, they listed the Law of the Sea as paramount.

"The sea ice is melting faster than policy can keep up with it," said Scott Borgerson, a former Coast Guard instructor who is now a visiting fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. "First and foremost, my strongest recommendation is to finally get on with it -- it is high time that the U.S. finally accedes to the Law of the Sea."

He added: "At all the conferences we go to we have to defend -- and it's impossible to defend, why the U.S. is not party to this treaty."

More than 150 other nations have ratified the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. U.S. leaders have signed onto the agreement and the George W. Bush administration supported it, but several Senate conservatives have stymied its ratification.

Becoming a party to the 25-year-old international treaty would allow the United States to claim rights to mineral-rich portions of the Arctic seafloor. Experts told the Foreign Relations Committee that will be even more important as nations rush to make new claims in the Arctic.

"It is very clear the U.S. has to be a part of the Law of the Sea," said David Carlson, director of the International Polar Year program office.

Recent studies have shown that Arctic sea ice has receded rapidly in recent years, leading to concerns about conflicts over environmental protection, control of recently opened waterways and access to natural resources as nations scramble to exploit the resource-rich region.

Nations bordering the Arctic are already making claims on the oil, gas and mineral-rich territory, but several disputes have already arisen over competing claims and witnesses warned lawmakers that more disputes would likely arise if stronger international policies are not developed.

Take note on the reference made to sea ice. This is your "holistic" approach...

Swine flu Deaths in U.S. Double in one Week

Link

Related Link:

Summer Gives No Relief From Swine Flu

The Obama Factor: E.U. Throws Georgians Under the Bus

Georgia-Russia war: EU blames Saakashvili

A majority of EU experts say the Georgian president, and not the Kremlin, ordered the first military strike against two breakaway provinces, according to the documents obtained by German news magazine Der Spiegel. The Georgian offensive into South Ossetia and Abkhazia escalated into a five-day war with Russia that the powerful neighbor won.

Obama has his excuse for being absent on this...



That is because it was Bush's fault for supporting Georgia. It's about the oil.



So when Russia speaks about the threat of North Korea, Obama might want to do a reality check...



When Obama wants to partner up with the Russians on missile defense.

Enbridge Gets in On the Don't Need it Campaign on the Alaska Pipeline

First there was T Boone Pickens on the Alaska gas pipeline.

Now competitor to Transcanada, Endbridge is mimicking T Boone Pickens on shale gas cutting the cost on natural gas to the point that, a 30 billion dollar pipeline from Alaska to the Lower 48 won't be needed.

Enbridge moves 15% of the natural gas in Texas, the largest producing state in the United States.

The Calgary-based company, Canada's largest oil pipeline operator, is proposing the $1.5-billion LaCrosse Pipeline.

That pipeline would link shale gas producers in the Fort Worth, Barnett and Haynesville regions of Texas and Louisiana to the U. S. southeast, where power markets are developing. Enbridge also runs a large offshore pipeline system in the Gulf of Mexico.

There is that Barnett field coming up in these articles. Pickens talked about his investments on natural gas, but wouldn't go into detail on where his investments were made.

But when you consider this headline:

Pickens Plan could benefit TransCanada, Enbridge, you know the answer is yes to the writer's question So, is Mr. Pickens blowing hot air?.

Analysts at Calgary-based First Energy seem to give the plan merit.

They note in their review released this week that industry group Global Wind Energy Council has already said North American-wide capacity could reach 366 Giga-Watts by 2030 under its "moderate" scenario.

"This is an independent confirmation that the Plan's 309 GW of installed capacity in the U.S. is at least possible," the analysts said.

Heavy use of natural gas for transportation would benefit the companies that move it around to high-demand areas — which would increase. TransCanada Corp. is one of those companies. Its existing network of pipelines already move the fuel from its U.S. gas fields to market, and it has planned a high-voltage direct current power line called Northern Lights that would connect Alberta to the U.S. power grid.

Enbridge Inc., which owns part of the Alliance Pipeline, is another. The Alliance line imports natural gas from Canada, while Enbridge is proposing expanding with a line that joins the Rockies to Chicago.

Barnett alone, is not the panacea for natural gas consumption. And neither is Alaska's natural gas resources, because much of Alaska's natural gas resources are in the form of gas hydrates that are in areas of the state that have not been developed and are costly to develop.

Moreover, in areas gas hydrates are found, heavy oil is part of the equation in developing the natural gas hydrates deposits. Those cost are similar to what the costs are to develop the tar sands in Alberta.

“The gas hydrates are in similar geographic locations (to heavy oil) on the North Slope,” Hunter said.

The location of gas hydrate deposits above producing oil fields might also enable hot fluids from the oil fields to be piped through the gas hydrate reservoirs.

Chemical methods of disassociating the hydrates involve pumping materials such as salt or methanol into the reservoirs.

“None of this has been field tested but all hold some promise,” Hunter said.

The same is true for the gas shale in many places in the Lower 48.

However, to develop the gas shale in an economical manner, the shale deposits that contain both gas and oil, the leases have been canceled by the Obama administration.

So what does this all mean? It means we need to continue with a variety of means in developing our natural resources in an economical manner and self-interested parties need to quit with their rhetoric.

New Contributor to It's a Kwazy Life: El Syd

It's a Kwazy Life welcomes new contributor, El Syd.

El Syd will be writing about her years of political experience and tying it in with the events of today.

We discussed what she would like to focus on and she will be writing mainly about politics that are related to church and state.

Below you fill find a short introduction to a series of actual events that have happened in her life. And she will be expanding on the series of events and show how things have not changed in the past 40-45 years since she was involved in politics in the 60's.

Her background takes her from being involved in the civil rights movement, to being a volunteer in the Catholic Church to being a precinct delegate for the Democrat party, a delegate to the Republican party in Alaska and was both a teacher and union representative for the teacher's union.

Her varied background gives her a unique view on the politics of today.

I am grateful for the contribution that she will bring. And I think you will enjoy the historical perspective.

When God Closes a Window He Does So Stealthily

Chapter One

El Syd


When I want to explore documented Catholic thinking I go to Tradition in Action. There I find Dr. Marion Horvat and Atila Sinke Guimaraes et al. Today, I gratefully looked back to lonely Gethsemane with two warrior Catholics, neither of whom fell asleep. Instead, they fight heroically to defend Christ and His Church. In my way, I do too.

As I read about TIA and its history, a trigger word jumped out from blurring lines of print. "Communism.” The murderous false construct that caused the death of millions. Bedded in lies, it gave life to a cruel radical form of Anarchy. I came dangerously close to its proponants, and lived to write about it. While Guimaraes' mentor was guiding him in South Amercia, I was muddling my way through a deadly process in small town U.S.A. The proponents of the process were watchful and manipulative. I was tolerated because I was essentially devoid of survival skills.

Young men and women, you, too, are being manipulated. The process is the same as it was in the fifties, sixties and beyond. It is a one-size-fits-all generational process. If you look back in time, or forward, or in the now, the process is the same. As you read these chapters, and use your reasoning skills, I think you will agree. I hope your goals will be rooted in God's laws. You will need Him. The seasoned TIA warriors would agree.

TIA’s Historical contexts were different than mine, but the need to resist godless communism, as we would resist all evil, was eerily reminiscent of a time, approximately fifty years ago, wherein I briefly fell into the political ranks of the clueless. God and a hostile black radical would shake me from my innocence and ignorance.

At the end of the fifties and the beginning decade of the sixties, I had worked with a friend who was a liaison for the Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan. “Would you work for our committee?” she asked. My friend, Shirley, was trying to get a volunteer to commit to Archbishop Dearden's Committee on "human relations." “What is it about?” I inquired. “We need someone to organize a forum, specifically addressing racial inequities.” I declined, saying my husband did not want me to be absent from the house. As Shirley talked, I felt guilty. I was stepping away from a severe social injustice. Finally, I acquiesced. I would deal with my husband's ire later.

Spousal ire aside, everything went perfectly, so much that I was invited to attend “educational (indoctrination) workshops. I was told this was necessary, so that I could speak "intelligently" on racial discrimination issues. I was to act as Shirley’s point-woman.

My husband was not a happy camper. His animus grew once we began getting late calls, voices in the night menaced with the cruel slur, “Nigger lover!” The implied threat was enough for my husband. He demanded that I quit all church and community activities. I responded candidly, “If their (black) children are not safe, neither are ours.” With that he grudgingly backed down. I was right, but I was still operating from soft Catholic idealism rather than knowledge and experience born of scabbed-over wounds. God would eventually provide both.

My efforts were approved by our parish priests and a successful forum emerged from pure ignorance and idealism (mine). A relatively new anti-communist group, said to be the John Birch Society, passed out literature, as we left church one Sunday. They charged that our group had been infiltrated by communists. Later, they unsuccessfully attempted to break-up the event. An anti-communist and patriot, I was appalled at the suggestion of communist infiltration within my church, and dismissed the claim on its face. However, it would be the last time that I ignored smoke signals.

Before I attended the first "education" workshop, Shirley suggested that we needed a human relations council in the community. Things were moving fast. The phrase, "human relations," was a noble all encompassing one, implying that the Golden Rule should govern society. The concept went deeper than skin color or country of origin. The idea sounded good to me, and I joined in the effort to contact interested parties. I had long since dismissed the JBS's claim that Archbishop Dearden's offices and the HR Committee had been infiltrated by communists, but the thought would return over time, and in many contexts.

Again success - An ad-hoc meeting was held, and our town established its first Human Relations Council. However, I declined an active role. Home demands were pressing, and my husband wanted me there. I felt I was doing all that peace-in-the-family would allow. However, an unfinished commitment remained, that is, I was to attend the "educational" classes.

I wore the cord of the Third Order Capuchins around my waist, certain that I could overcome all evil tests, not realizing that Satan makes mincemeat of prideful novices. At twenty-something, I was unaware that God was about to open a window, while imperceptively closing another. The mission had changed, and so would I.