sassy wrote on Jun 19, 2008 5:26 AM:What is wrong with our leaders?! The illegal invasion is destroying our state and country in general. California is broke and it's only going to get worse. Does the governor and our elected officials drive around with blinders on? Do they not see the problem? The voters have voiced their desires only to fall onto deaf ears. What is it going to take?!

Vista Granny wrote on Jun 19, 2008 6:45 AM:David Lumpkin apparently hasn't heard that you can buy re-usable grocery bags almost any place you go these days. There are also freebies at most street fairs, given out by environmental activists. Of course, he's more than welcome to put all his purchases in a pillow case, if that's all he can come up with to replace plastic throw-aways.

To Tommy wrote on Jun 19, 2008 7:13 AM:Please change the record!!! BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, Yuck!!!

Some activists wrote on Jun 19, 2008 7:19 AM:For the fifth time, the Supreme Court (with a majority appointed by Republicans) has told Bush that he has violated the Constitution. Some conservatives seem to think that opposing King George is the definition of "judicial activism", and they are wrong. It's Bush who is the activist, attempting repeatedly to rewrite the Founders' document in the interest of increased autonomy and power for himself. Bush depends on these conservatives who have been programmed by his stream of propaganda. Fortunately, there is still SOME integrity on the Court, though the 5-4 scorecard is downright terrifying to those of us who admire our nation's values. A number of the so-called liberal judges are very old. It is imperative that Obama be elected in November to prevent this effort to replace checks and balances, and the rule of law, with tyranny.

Chuck wrote on Jun 19, 2008 7:21 AM:>>>"Meet the Press" with Tim Russert: My only reason to get up on Sunday morning.>>>

Gee, I should think you liberals would wantt o be glued to CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC abd mSNBC to see what freebee Hussein is offering you today, to buy your vote.

chuck wrote on Jun 19, 2008 7:25 AM:>>>David Lumpkin apparently hasn't heard that you can buy re-usable grocery bags >>> LOL, another lib who thinks it about the grocery bags. Sacramento doesnt give a crap about grocery bags, they want the 25 cents for each bag. And once they get that money, they'll find another new tax.

Chuck wrote on Jun 19, 2008 7:30 AM:LOL, the squirming has begun. The American people are now demanding drilling for oil and nuclear power, and the weasely liberals are squirming because it has become a major campaign issue. Hussein will have to come around or he'll thrown to the scrap heaps of history

To Chuck wrote on Jun 19, 2008 7:30 AM:"Chuck
Gee, I should think you liberals would wantt o be glued to CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC abd mSNBC to see what freebee Hussein is offering you today, to buy your vote."

Gee Chuck, looks like you don't know everything. What a surprise.

To Milton wrote on Jun 19, 2008 7:40 AM:Yesterday Maggie and today, Milton Owens expressed their obvious party biased opinions of Obama. Fact of the matter is, he has not been given the opportunity to do anything and we cannot predict our country's future should he be elected. We do know one thing for sure. This country is not doing well with it's current leadership. Failing to take advantage of the opportunity to change our country's course is a guaranteed recipe for disaster.

To Chuck wrote on Jun 19, 2008 7:55 AM:Our dear Hussein will not back down on drilling because he is smart enough to know this is another pandering "quick fix" and we would see no benefit in pricing from the drilling for five years or more. The "change" that Obama brings is telling the truth about the challenges we face instead of feeding us instant gratification solutions that hurt us in the long run. Obama is willing to bet that the majority of the American people are smart enough to see through the GOP fear-mongering, empty promises and slime. And he is right. Chuck, you, Ron, Mike America, sdraoul and your friends are an increasingly smaller group. Thank goodness.

Chuck wrote on Jun 19, 2008 8:09 AM:>>>The "change" that Obama brings is telling the truth about the challenges>>> The only change Hussein brings is Marxism as he does nothing but attack the employers in this country. He is so devoid of education, he had to have Soros and MoveOn script his every word and move. He is a total fraud and will be totally rejected

Gotta change your tune wrote on Jun 19, 2008 8:12 AM:Thanks to DD, we all learned yesterday that the oil companies are sitting on most of their leased land. So the whole yammer about offshore drilling, ANWR, etc is seen to be passe and empty. You can complain that there are too many hoops for the oil companies to drill on the land they already have, but the same would be true at new sites. I won't even listen to proposals for offshore drilling and the rest. Let the oil companies use the land they already have, then come back to us and ask for more. (Besides, I just read that some of the oil companies are honing in on no-bid contracts to have at all that Iraqi oil. So they aren't complaining.)

Chuck wrote on Jun 19, 2008 8:21 AM:>>>So the whole yammer about offshore drilling, ANWR, etc is seen to be passe and empty. >>> That is no more than liberal spewage. I hope Hussein and the liberals continue to reject increasing supplies and building nuclear. As, in NOvember the million that have lost their jobs and have had to endure this massive commodity inflation, they are going to totally reject this undefined "change" that liberals think they can sell.

Ron wrote on Jun 19, 2008 8:29 AM:I hear ya, Michael Collins. The Bush Administration had been operating under the guidelines provided by a previous SCOTUS decision {Johnson v Eisentrager 339 U.S. 763 1950} Which up til now, had been the law. Obviously, all that has changed.
Even FDR, who had nearly 400,000 German POW's inside the territorial boundaries of the United States, and not one of those prisoners ever was able to challenge their detainment. The FDR Court was very clear, all detainees outside the territorial boundaries of the United States did not have the same constitutional rights as US citizens. Their only form of relief would be through a Congressional approved Military Tribunal Court, as defined by the President & the Congress.
We are now in new territory, and we have the liberal activists on the bench to thank for it.
I can't help but think forward to the milenia of court cases to come, where these terrorists will be able to prosecute our military, with the help of ACLU slip & fall lawyers.
Anyone familiar with the Lynn Stewart case knows exactly what I'm talking about here. For those who do not know, she was convicted of passing information from Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, an Eyptian cleric convicted of planning terror attacks, to his followers in al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya, a known terrorist organization.
Can you imagine the nation's secrets & sourcing information being brought out in court as evidence through discovery, and then passed on to other terrorist groups? I sure can. It's been done before.
It is obvious to any person that what we now have are 6 commanders in chief.
The President, and those liberal activists sitting on the Supreme Court, and wearing black robes.
Apparently, wearing "the robe" must automatically give you superior commanding skills?

Payday wrote on Jun 19, 2008 8:32 AM:From the NY Times QUOTE BAGHDAD - Four Western oil companies are in the final stages of negotiations this month on contracts that will return them to Iraq, 36 years after losing their oil concession to nationalization as Saddam Hussein rose to power. The deals[...]will lay the foundation for the first commercial work for the major companies in Iraq since the American invasion, and open a new and potentially lucrative country for their operations.
The no-bid contracts are unusual for the industry[...]and are relatively small by industry standards, would nonetheless give the companies an advantage in bidding on future contracts in a country that many experts consider to be the best hope for a large-scale increase in oil production. There was suspicion among many in the Arab world and among parts of the American public that the United States had gone to war in Iraq precisely to secure the oil wealth these contracts seek to extract. The Bush administration has said that the war was necessary to combat terrorism. It is not clear what role the United States played in awarding the contracts; there are still American advisers to Iraq’s Oil Ministry. ENDQUOTE Ahh, I love the smell of democracy in the morning...it's the smell of...victory. If our gas prices go down by a few cents, all those deaths will have been worth it. Great job, W. Mission accomplished.

esteban wrote on Jun 19, 2008 8:33 AM:Ms M writes, "Also, if Gore would have been elected our country would not be in the mess we are in - we would not be in Iraq." Didn't she just tell me I was wrong for assuming? I love those libs! The reason it happened on Bush's watch is because of the years of neglect of the terrorist threat from the Clinto era. Why do you think it happened so early on Bush's watch? It was planned during Clinton's watch!!!! They knew America would be vulnerable after years of Clinton's cowardice!

Ron wrote on Jun 19, 2008 8:38 AM:Yes, "Powerlink {is} a glorified extension cord, I agree Brian Bowden.
And it's an extension cord the region needs & deserves. It will supply 650,000 customers with desperately needed electric power for our ever growing community.
And now the hype is $9 billion, I thought a few months ago you guy's said it was $1.3 billion? Inflation? or exaggeration?

And then, here it is again? She says: "There are better ways to invest our limited energy dollars..."
"OUR" dollars, Brian. How do these guy's get from SDG&E dollars to "Our" dollars?
Yes, I know, eventually we will pay for the improvements made, at approx. $2,000 per customer. Sure beats investing $20-30,000 in a solar system, if your a low income worker, making minimum wage. Especially if your a renter, what's your out then?

Remember - we arent at war wrote on Jun 19, 2008 8:43 AM:The flap today about SCOTUS depends on the assumption that we are in some kind of WWIII. As was discussed yesterday, this is utterly false, a con job to expand the powers of the President. He was never forced to invent the "enemy combatant" category or to insist that neither US law nor that part of it called the Geneva Conventions applied to these detainees. The five Supreme Court decisions against Bush should tell us that he has been trying to push the envelope of what's Constitutional, and failing with regularity. Now Bush and his loyalists will begin their accusations that these are all terrorists, that the judges are activists. It's all nonsense. The vast majority of those detained have yet to be accused of anything and many have been released, as we realized they were nothing but unlucky bystanders or victims of someone pointing a finger for a reward. The US has always stood for the individual. Not here. I find it interesting that those who defend Bush are those who typically, in many of their posts, seem to prefer being good citizens in a military dictatorship. They are the people who WANT the President to have unlimited power, who WANT dissention silenced, who call those who disagree with them "traitors" and "unamerican", who WANT the military to expand and rule the world. This is not the America I learned about or read about when I read the Constitution, and it's good to see that there are at least 5 justices left who remember that document. We mustn't forget that there is a minority here who despise the Constitution. We must protect America from them. Bush's regime has been dramatic evidence of where their thinking leads us. McCain wants to stay the course. We are fighting for the soul of the nation. That's where the "war" really is. Which side are you on?

Ron wrote on Jun 19, 2008 8:46 AM:Oh.. you know where the money will go, David Lumpkin. Right into the general fund of California.
Thank goodness Lloyd Levine, Democrat-Van Nuys will be term limited out this year. If your truly interested in this guy, and ALL the wonderful thing {sarcasm} he has done for our State, go to his website. He thinks he's the next best thing to sliced bread. I truly do not know what the people of Van Nuys were thinking, when they hired him.

Ron wrote on Jun 19, 2008 8:56 AM:Your right, Joyce Kennedy. Ratepayers aren't stupid. We know that paying $2,000 for an improved system, beats $20,000 out of our pockets any day of the week. Especially, if your a low income, minimum wage worker, living in a rented apartment.
Hey, but do you really want to know how to help these low income workers? Talk to the Goven-a-tor. He says he won't allow drilling, and the gas prices are killing minimum wage workers. It's now becoming a choice between eating, and getting to work. But, I hear the Obamaman is telling us to eat less.
Is that a round about way of saying we're all fat?

Chuck wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:00 AM:>>>Our dear Hussein will not back down on drilling because he is smart enough to know this is another pandering "quick fix">>> Pandering to raise taxes in a recession is no more than pandering to Soror and Moore and to the class envy lazy and jealous. Not many are going to run to vote for someone named Hussein who promises to screw their employer with higher taxes during a recession, and who will offer no relief on the energy crisis

Dubya wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:02 AM:Like James Edwards, I will not be voting for either of the two idiots running for president.
And I won't be voting for him either since his solution to the "oil crisis" is as dumb as theirs.
The spike in the price of oil is not a result of any signifcant shortage in current supplies or increase in demand as it is a direct result of the fact that the US Dollar is worth about half what it was just a few years ago thanks to the insane economic policies of the Bush administration.
We could let the multinational oil conglomerates drill on every sqare inch of public land in the continental US and the price of oil would continue rise because any oil produced would be sold at the market price and the market price is determined by, among ohter things, the value of the US Dollar in relation to other currencies.
Two years ago the Euro was worth .75 cents to the Dollar. Today, thanks mostly to Greenspan and Bernanke's tinkering with the money suplly and interest rates, the Euro is worth over $1.50.
Is any wonder oil producers want twice as many Dollars for a barrel of oil than they did before?
Moreover there is absolutely no guarantee that any oil pumped form US wells will end up at US gas pumps.
It's just as likely to end up in China, Europe, or even Iraq!

It doesn't matter how much oil is off the coast of Ca., in the ANWR or any where else.
There will NEVER be a "solution" to the "oil crisis" as long as oil is the primary source of the world's continually increasing demand for energy.

Olaf wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:04 AM:What is so hard about getting some cloth bags? is it that hard for you people or are you just yammering on because you hate anything green. I am not saying no to drilling off shore but paying 25 cents for a bag will bring about the uselessness of plastic bags (made from petrolium products). Besides the cloth bags hold more things in them and that equals less trips in and out of the garage. Gripe about other things people.

Denise wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:06 AM:To [-] (June 18, 2008) re: Mr. Drake

Persecuted-no, bitter-perhaps, angry-most assuredly. At who? The DBA for their fee hike. No doubt the DBA has greatly improved the downtown area, but only for certain businesses. After many years of asking to be included in the 2nd Saturday Artwalk; after no one representing the City, the DBA, or the art community came to his studio opening ten years ago or to his solo show in Solana Beach over a year ago (yes, he invited them all believing their claim that this City supports the arts-guess its not individual artists); after he used to attend the DBA meetings and used to participate in the Arts Partnership; after submitting an announcement to the Downtown Magazine FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES on an upcoming exhibit some his works were selected for, only to have it not be included in the December issue, not be told it wasn't going to be and only after asking why not was it put in the next issue thereby missing the holiday promotional opportunity (greatly chopped up by the way), only after all this has he given up on this DBA. Hope that answers your question of what and whom he's upset about. Guess you were okay with the other gentleman's letter of complaint about the fee hikes as you didn't accuse him of being persecuted.

Backcountry wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:07 AM:We have three branches of government that provide checks and balances against any one branch from getting out of control...Executive, Legeslitative and Judicial. Each of these branches has an obligation to defend the Constitution and protect our country and national overeignty.

The most recent ruling by the liberal activist Supreme Court with regards to the alleged "rights" of war priisoners is a direct violation of our Constitution and a slap in the face of every American citizen.

The five activists on the court who are now legislating from the bench (making law rather than upholding law) have ruled that non-citizen terrorists have the same rights as everyone else. In other words these terrorists who, when acquitted and released, only want to kill every American and who will enlist their own children to do so will be granted those rights because the liberals just want to be fair.

The best thing is that through our system of government we can get rid of those liberal "judges." The worst thing is that if Obama gets elected the court will be packed with more traitors.

Ron wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:16 AM:Thanks for the information, Richard Zacher. Interesting... so your friend called a private hearing aid company that said they'd fix the hearing aid for $5, and not the $50 the VA charges?
Man! I bet you just can't wait until Government run the whole medical system too?

Ron wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:23 AM:"Olga Diaz would put this city on a one-way track to Slumville."
Thanks for the information David Cline.

Alf wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:29 AM:I have a question or two for "sdraoul" and "esteban". Since you love to declare that we have not had a terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11 and you use that to justify the deaths of over 4,000 American Troops and the hundreds of BILLIONS spent and our continued occupation of Iraq, HOW MANY terrorist attacks (by foreign nationals) on American soil were there in the 51 years between 1950 and 2001? During that time was it necessary to invade countries and occupy them "to prevent acts of terrorism on American soil"? Your rationale for this stupid waste of American Troops and waste of our economy is so flawed that it stinks worse than 3 week old rotting skunk. Regards, Alf.

To Ron wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:30 AM:You have mentioned that Obama is telling us to eat less a number of times now. You have been asked to provide the source for your quote. Are you able to do so, or no?

Dubya wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:31 AM:According to Michael Collins -
"Enemy combatants who do not display a uniform or insignia indicating their country of origin, are not under a direct foreign command and are openly carrying arms do not deserve any protection, especially protection from the U.S Constitution."

That could easily be applied to ANYONE who owns a gun any place for any reason.
As in the case of John Walker Lindh, Jose Padilla and others, you don't have to be a foreign national to be labelled an "enemy combatant" and stripped of ALL your rights and the gov't doesn't have to produce any proof that you are.
Why would anyone in their right mind want to give the gov't that much power?
Sounds to me like those "activist judges" made a pretty good decision in this case.
Granted, according to the Constitution SCOTUS shouldn't be legislating from the bench. Neither should POTUS be legislating from the Oval Office OR re-interpreting the Constitution to suit his own agenda, although he does it all the time.
Sounds to me like Mr.Collins is relying entirely on Bill O'Reilly to tell him everything he knows about anything rather than figuring it out for himself.

hardtack wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:34 AM:To Apollo and bogey from yesterday:
Ernest Hemingway had this quote that you both may relate to:”Work hard and hone your skills, then when luck comes you will be ready.” Although Hemingway (or his character), I believe, said that in the context of hunting. It applies universally to all of us, in any pursuit.
Bill Gates may be an exception to that rule. Some people are naturally gifted and lucky to have been born at the right time. I’m not sure Gates worked that hard perfecting his genius.
Then you have Tiger Woods who worked his whole life to perfect his skill. Now he is good enough at his craft to make his own “luck” – as witnessed at the US Open.
Best regards to you both.

Ron wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:37 AM:That's because, Alexia Potter.. they are "pulling a Hoover."
Let me explain...
Herbert Hoover tried this after the 1929 Depression had begun. He raised taxes, he set high tariffs, and he even had some kind of reconstruction bailout scheme. Sound familiar? Well, it is.
Apparently, we have not learned our lesson from history, and we may repeat it. Might I suggest you look up President Hoover, and cite for them, line & verse all the things he did during a downturned economy, and then make the suggestion, they are Hooverish.
See what they say.
I've written Barack Obama about this very issue of being "Hooverish", but I'm still waiting on a reply. Think I'll get one? Doubtful.

Reardon wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:38 AM:Well I see that Obama is making headlines: He broke his promise today on campaign financing, and is in a kerfuffle about his staff stopping two women in hajibs from being in a campaign photo behind Obama.

It turns out that Obama is just another politician. O.K. that is not news, except to the Messiah Worshipers.

To Ron wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:41 AM:Ron @ "...the gas prices are killing minimum wage workers. It's now becoming a choice between eating, and getting to work."

Given your ties to the oil industry and the defense contractors, Ron, it's rather hard to believe your primary motive for drilling offshore is for the benefit of the minimum wage workers. On the other hand, if it puts money in your pocket then I can understand why you would choose to further the bs agenda of the oil companies. You must be raking it in with all your oil stock profits this year, and I know you think you deserve it. Good for you! Not so good for the minimum wage workers, but oh well.

Reardon wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:45 AM:I will have to apologize for my last post.

It is probably irrelevant, but that determination must be made by DD, who determines such things and will weigh in with a final decision.

Oil Speculation wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:50 AM:News You Didn't Know... On Wednesday, May 14, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation that will close the Enron Loophole.

The lack of oil regulation is due to what's actually called the "Enron Loophole." Enron Chairman Ken Lay and his market-manipulating buddies persuaded Congress and federal regulators in 2000 that electronic trading markets would be more "efficient" if they didn't suffer the weight of regulation. An attempt by a hedge fund in 2005 to corner the market in natural gas finally forced federal commodity regulators to quit denying the truth: speculation, not market conditions, was driving prices. Unregulated markets are not efficient, they're an invitation to gaming by big money and Big Oil.

Some are saying the passage of this bill and the closing of this speculation loophole will reduce gas prices from 25% t6o 50%. Remember when Californians were ripped off for utilities a few years back (you remember the tapes of people laughing about sticking it to granny in California?), well now the oil companies are doing it to us. Try googling "Enron Loophole".

And shame on you Ron, you must have known. You should have told us sooner. Waiting to write a book like Scotty McClellen?

hardtack wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:53 AM:The satire in "Constitution is a suicide pact" obviously caught some readers off guard considering it was penned by J. Howard Crews. I had to LOL today when Crews wrote, “ I hate it when I have to explain a joke.” Boy, do I know that feeling.

I remembered Crews’ letter because, at the time, it brought this quote to mind:

"It is sobering to reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for independence. – – Unfortunately, it is revolutionary to talk about obeying the Constitution." – Rep. Ron Paul

Ron wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:54 AM:Wow! What is this the, one, two.. third letter today about the Sunrise PowerLink. I guess the opposition musta had a meeting late night?
Judith Withers, and the above letters writers seem to have a problem with our Capitalist system in this country.
What in the world do these people have against making some money? Especially if by the "invisible hand" as preached by Adam Smith, it helps the community?
She says: "This project [seems to be] designed to line the pockets of Sempra/SDG&E shareholders..."
So!?
Henry Ford didn't design and build a car to help people. He did it to make some money. And in the process of seeking "his own self-interest", he helped millions, perhaps billions of people. This is the invisible hand as taught by Adam Smith, and SDG&E acting in it's own self interest, will do the same.
Personally, I have no beef with using alternatives. But fellas, come on, let us build them.

DD Wiz wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:59 AM:The published letter from James Edwards and the predictable response from "Chuck" (7:30am) continue to blame the high prices of gas on the lack of additional new drilling.
I noted yesterday (10:58am) seven reasons for the increased cost of gas, most of which (but not all) are directly related to failed economic policies of the Bush administration, in some cases (such as deregulation of oil futures speculation) abetted directly by the congress when it was controlled by Republicans, with McCain's top economic advisor, Phil Gramm (former Sen R-TX) the chief proponent of such measures, for which McCain voted (and which Obama opposed).
I further noted that seeking additional new drilling options is simply a ruse to further game the energy market as the electricity companies did to California in 2000.
I cited a Senate web page reporting that out of 41 million acres ALREADY CURRENTLY LEASED; Big Oil is "sitting on" 33 million acres that they could be drilling on, but are not. Info at the Senate ".GOV" site:
http://bingaman.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=297673.
The more I think about that, the more I feel the need to reiterate a key point.
Why is this not being reported in the corporate-owned "mainstream" media?
I happened to catch the hearings on CSPAN-II and, seeing it on energy -- a topic of interest to me -- I stopped long enough to get an eyeful, went to the website and was astounded by the report.
WHY IS THIS NOT BEING REPORTED?
Jeff Bingaman, a key U.S. Senator, chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee, is holding hearings on a key issue that everyone is interested in. High gas prices make the front page. Bush calls for drilling off the North County shore and it makes the front page. The U.S. Senate reports that Big Oil is "sitting on" 33 million acres of available drilling land they could be using, and NO COVERAGE! Even if the allegations are flawed, coming from such a high-level source they are newsworthy, and balanced reporting could provide a Big Oil response, but to simply ignore the subject is a violation of the sacred trust of responsible journalism.
The North County Times has some excellent staff who have won awards for excellence in coverage in the past. This should be a great opportunity for a scrappy local paper to scoop the giants and report on something that is a hot topic of interest right now.

trader wrote on Jun 19, 2008 10:02 AM:Maybe Tommy Chanick should refrain from visiting L.A. All those Mexican looking faces seem to drive him crazy. But what a fine example he makes of the mindset and intelligence of the Minutemen-types among us.

Ron wrote on Jun 19, 2008 10:13 AM:I think you are right, Milton Olson. "We are in for a rough ride if Democrats win."
But, I disagree with you on your point about labor unions.
Labor union workers won't win. Perhaps their boss's will, but not your average, everday, regular American, working blue-collar jobs, and especially those in mining, and other smoke stack industries will be punished.
Given the fact that the Democrats have sold out to the enviromentalist wing, this will not be good for these hard working, tax paying, family guys {& gals} who will be persecuted by the environmentalist wing of the Party.
There is no upside for these people. This party has determined it will eliminate these jobs, throwing thousands more into unemployment.
And then, to throw salt into the wound, they promise them "Green jobs." Really?
Where? Can't build dams like FDR did, the enviro wing won't let it happen.
Geo-thermal? HA! I'm reading at this very moment about a proposed Geo site in Hawaii, and that ain't gonna happen.
Ah... but's there's Wind Turbines, Ron.
Again... can't piped the energy into the State, can't get the grid built. And that would finish off any hope of massive solar arrays in the desert too.
Tidal? Nope, can't build a Desal plant, what makes you think we'll get a tidal plant? And this is really the deal here this year, the Hope.. and the Hype.
They purposely plant the Hope with the Hype about these supposed green jobs, knowing the whole time, it's a scam.
Those jobs will never materialize.
And it is the scam of the century, if they can pull it off.

Ron wrote on Jun 19, 2008 10:19 AM:No, Paul Sautter. You would be suprised what some people will do to their own home. But, then again... maybe he wouldn't.

to jvc and Karl wrote on Jun 19, 2008 10:25 AM:The two Americas, IMHO, is all about the Vietnam war era, or the 60s, more broadly. To many conservative Americans (in the old sense), too many Americans seriously misbehaved during that era. The racists among them resented the success of the Civil Rights Movement. But this soon was swamped by the right's outrage over the resistance to the war and the in-your-face insolence of the hippies. The left ended Jim Crow, but also ended the war, ended the careers of two Presidents, and, according to the propaganda, caused the US to really lose a war for the first time. Reagan organized the enormous resentment against the left with a vengeance, had the right feeling good about itself again, and good about the contempt they all felt towards the left. The hatred between left and right began in the 60s, but since the 80s, the right has capitalized on this polarity enormously. I, for one, look forward to the day when the Vietnam syndrome fades away. Obama is appealing to many who want to be post-Nam, but it may be too soon for us to get over it. Sooner the better for my money.

Bucky wrote on Jun 19, 2008 10:41 AM:As long as Democrats are in charge of the House the Senate and the California Legislature, nothing will be done. They owe their souls to the radical left wing environmentalists and nothing is going to change that any time soon. Between the environmental radicals, the California Teachers Union and the Trial Lawyers, the citizens of California have no hope as long as they keep voting for Democrats. Like $5.00 per gallon gas? Vote Democrat, like bad Schools? Vote Democrat, like trial lawyers running the legislature? Vote Democrat !

Alf wrote on Jun 19, 2008 10:44 AM:The letter from Michael Collins misses the mark by a mile. It is the over-the-top power grabbing, the disdain for, ignoring of, defilement of and violation of the Constitution that forces the issue. The Supreme Court is doing its job, to interpret and side WITH the Constitution. It is GWB who is violating his Oath of Office. Regards, Alf.

Gore wrote on Jun 19, 2008 10:48 AM:Whatever unpredictable there is to say about "if Gore had been President", my feeling is that we know two things for sure and another pretty much for sure. The for sures are that we'd not have invaded Iraq and we'd have signed Kyoto. The pretty much is that the intel reports about al qaeda would've been taken more seriously before 9-11 (though I don't know if the attacks could've been prevented). IMHO

Alf wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:02 AM:I'll try again - A question or two for "sdraoul" and "esteban" - Since you like to use the fact that the U.S. has not had a terrorist attack on our soil since 9/11 to justify the invasion of and occupation of Iraq as well as the over 4,000 American Troops who have died in Iraq and the hundreds of Billions spent so far AND want to "stay the course" with McGWB, HOW MANY terrorist attacks on American soil have occured and been by foreign nationals in the FIFTY years before 9/11? Has the loss of American Troops and ruination of what's left of the economy actually kept us "safe". Regards, Alf.

Backcountry wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:10 AM:More about "Constitution is a suicide pact" by J. Howard Crews... Its not the reader's fault that they are confused when a liberal tries to tell a joke, its the liberal's fault for not being able to express their liberal humor....Oh I forgot....maybe thats because liberal humor is an oxymoron.

Thanks backcountry wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:11 AM:Backcountry is exhibit A for "Remember-we aren't at war"s reasoning earlier today. Backcountry is positive we are in a holy war in which anything goes, so the Constitution and Geneva should be tossed in these desperate times! We're fighting for our very life as a nation, as a civilization, people! This is not a time to talk about Constitutional rights! Backcountry has been had, hook, line and sinker. I hope and pray that there are not many like Backcountry, who would prefer a kind of military tyranny by protector-president over the Constitutional republic we have lived in since the late 18th Century. Backcountry would have felt at home in Hitler's Germany, Stalin's USSR, Casto's Cuba, or the current Burma. Let's hope and pray for America.

Oh Alf at wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:16 AM:You should know by now that esteban and raoul play a funny game: your runs don't count. You say 911, they say Clinton. You say there were attacks in Britain, Spain, Italy, they say not on our soil. If, by some terrible chance, we were attacked this afternoon, esteban and raoul would say Democrats are tying the hands of Bush. See? Facts don't matter. Their own arguments don't matter. All that matters is their loyalty to their Strong Leader. I feel that their response to 911 is proof of this. If they really cared about being attacked, they'd have been enraged that Bush disregarded the intelligence on bin laden. For these guys, it's all and only about ideology. They don't care if the US is safe because they love manly war more than safety or life. Don't waste your time.

KJ wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:17 AM:Looks like the moderator didn't take his recommended daily dose of anti-depressants, the personalities are being especially cruel to each other today.

Ms M wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:24 AM:esteban
[-] wrote on Jun 19, 2008 8:33 AM:Ms M writes, "Also, if Gore would have been elected our country would not be in the mess we are in - we would not be in Iraq." Didn't she just tell me I was wrong for assuming? I love those libs! The reason it happened on Bush's watch is because of the years of neglect of the terrorist threat from the Clinto era. Why do you think it happened so early on Bush's watch? It was planned during Clinton's watch!!!! They knew America would be vulnerable after years of Clinton's cowardice! First of all that was not an assumption - that is fact. Gore would not have pushed invading Iraq. There was no reason to. Bush pushed this war - that too is now fact. And no matter what you say - Bush had WARNINGS - he ignored them - 9-11 happened on his watch. Don't try and rewrite history!

Surfer wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:24 AM:Alf[-] wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:29 AM: You are right as always, kahuna. They also miss the point that the Twin Towers was their specific target due to what it representing the worship of money and power by the USA. The terrorists tried during the Clinton administration. It was a failure. Their mission was accomplished on 09/11. Brah, could it have been a one shot deal? Cowabunga! Or, just maybe they only had the resources and the element of surprise that one successful time! The Conservatives need to prove that the Iraqi war actually stopped the terrorists from attacking our country a second time. Not just make statements but prove it. Yea Burger King! Where is the beef? See ya Dude

Floyd wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:25 AM:One of the reasons the oil companies are not reclaiming oil from existing leases is because there can be up to 17 political entities that regulate the activity. If any one of them says "no", then oil won't be available. Don't blame the oil companies for problems caused by government.

If Floyd is right wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:29 AM:If Floyd is right about the 17 entities that can block drilling, then the problem has nothing to do with offering MORE sites to drill. The problem is undoing those 17 entities. Then drilling can happen on land they already have. Comprende?

Tommy wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:30 AM:One of the big reasons for the increased cost of fuel relates to supply and demand. Mainland China is rapidly increasing it's transportation infrastructure, leading to shortages on the world market. Shortages cause higher prices. Even worse, domestic demand continues to rise with population growth yet there have been no new refineries built. The supply of fuel is artificially limited, adding to the shortage and the upward pressure on prices. Removing the regulatory prohibitions against domestic oil production and refining would reduce the cost of fuel.

Apollo wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:36 AM:Re: Hardtack (9:34 a.m.)
Great post from Hardtack - makes my point perfectly when I talked about the interaction of the luck of when and where we are born, which we did nothing to earn, and individual aptitudes and efforts to take full advantage of that good fortune.
And, just as with Bill Gates, Hardtack's excellent example of Tiger Woods is very germane - if Tiger Woods had been born in sub-Saharan Africa 3,000 years ago, he would not have won the U.S. Open.
Socialists think everything is luck.
Conservatives have the illusion of being "self-made."
Liberals understand the interplay of both.

Can you believe the gall wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:36 AM:Yes, Obama went back on his earlier promise about campaign funding. We know: he's a politician. Here's how McCain's camp responded QUOTE (from the Times) Jill Hazelbaker, the McCain campaign’s communications director, said later on a conference call with reporters: “The true test of a candidate for President is whether he will stand on principle and keep his word to the American people. Barack Obama has failed that test today ENDQUOTE So lemme get this straight: McCain is claiming to have always kept his word and stood on principle? JOHN McCain? THAT John McCain? You want a list of major positions he's changed his stance on? Does the man have no shame whatsoever? LOL

Ron wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:44 AM:You know, this is really becomng quite comical, ya know? I mean... here we have our buddy.. my dear friend the
Wizzer @9:59 AM, trying so desperately to defend this nonsense of not developing our own sources of energy.
Today {and yesterday} he attempted to tell us the energy companies, and the oil companies have every access they need to develop the fuel potentials, but just aren't doing so in order to "get rich."
While I admire his sense of urgency, and stick-to-it-tiveness, I really gotta say Wiz old buddy, the ship is going down, and you don't have enough fingers to plug all the leaks, my friend.
I'm sittin here looking at one, two, three different letters today just on the PowerLink, opposed to it, of course. Maybe you know them?
And, We have a front page story today citing the Goven-a-tor, Mayor Bud Lewis, and other's who say they'll stop any attempt to drill, anywhere.
Like I said yesterday, sure.. these oil companies are "sittin" on large amounts of land. And they are just sittin because they have been stopped, by Governors, Legislatures, Agencies, Coastal Commisions, County governments, and yes,.. your dear friends by way of lawsuits. Perhaps, if they were allowed to drill, we might be able to get out of the fix were in? But you guy's are standing in the way of progress, and "The People" are getting angry. Angrier by the minute. Usually, it is my side that is portrayed as "not caring." I'm glad to know that your side will feel the heat on this one.
And rightly so.

Nick wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:47 AM:How many times to I have to tell you people. If you really want an inside look at the manipulation of oil prices, just google "The Energy Non-Crisis" and watch the video. It is 45 minutes long, but I promise you, it is worth every minute.
Cheers, Nick.

Good one Apollo wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:49 AM:The interplay of both is right on the money. Conservatives say "you play the hand you're dealt" and this is admirable. BUT they pretend to assume that no one is fudging, that everyone is good, clean, and honest. Reality says that given the chance, lots of people stack the deck as much as possible, in legal and illegal ways. Hence the need for a government that assures some basic regulation and justice, so that people can honestly play the hand they're dealt. When people argue against government regulation, I see someone who wants to suppress others.

Surfer wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:53 AM:CONSERVATIVES: Brahs. Just check out all the letters and the blog posts today from conservatives. It is in your face. What they want is a subservient Conservative Congress to a Conservative President who has filled the Supreme Court with sleeping Conservative members. Dudes, what they want is a fascist state. Guys and gals. They were almost successful. Now, they are pearling. "what goes around, comes around." Time for them all to go. Time to say adios a bye bye.

Ron wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:54 AM:And speaking of "Black Gold", last night I watched "Black Gold" on TV. I wonder if anyone caught that? Anyways..
It's another reality TV thing, although I'm really not fan of reality TV, I watched this one because it invloved the working guy's who get our oil for us. You know? "The Little Guy"?
They are called Roughnecks, and I did not see one millionaire in the bunch, in fact, most of those guy's drove somewhat older pick-up trucks.
There was the President & CEO of the company, who told the story of how he could drill hole, after hole, and go broke if his predictions didn't quite work out.
I can't help but think of these men, these guy's who work hard, regular blue-collar guys, who need a paycheck.
If you haven't seen it, I suggest you do. It will open your mind as to who will be hurt most, by not pursuing our own oil interests. I'm more than sure the investor can plunk his money down on something else, like maybe, wind turbines? Providing, of course, he can clear all the enviromental hurdles put up to prevent him from doing that.
It's funny, ya know? Why would an investor in Wind Turbines need an enviromental permit? Is this not "clean energy?" But, hey.. I just call em as I see em.

SOLON wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:55 AM:= Chuck reminds us (7:21 AM) of the noble name of Barack Hussein, which translates as QUOTE "good blessing" END QUOTE. Once again, we thank you Chuck for remind us all that Barack Hussein (the ‘good blessing’) Obama is not only bears a noble name, but is a appropriately named. Thank you so much Chuckie. Please keep reminding us.

esteban wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:55 AM:All you freaky libs are nuts!!!! Alf, there have been plenty of terrorist events on US interests in the last fifty years. Just because they happened elsewhere, doesn't mean they didn' affect us here at home. Our citizens/troops were still killed! Since Bush clamped down, there have been no terrorist events on US interests anywhere. Yeah Bush stinks at alot of things, but he's good at killing terrorists, which is what we need. And the fact that you like foreign POW's to be covered by our Constitution shows that you are just a no brained crazy lib (not libertarian). remember, the Constitution doesn't apply to the enemy. Arrest them wherever they are and torture them for good info...or for fun! Regards!!!

Spreading democracy and freedom wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:55 AM:From the McClatchy Newspapers QUOTE WASHINGTON - The Army general who led the investigation into prisoner abuse at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison accused the Bush administration Wednesday of committing “war crimes” and called for those responsible to be held to account.
The remarks by Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, who’s now retired, came in a new report that found that U.S. personnel tortured and abused detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, using beatings, electrical shocks, sexual humiliation and other cruel practices. “After years of disclosures by government investigations, media accounts and reports from human rights organizations, there is no longer any doubt as to whether the current administration has committed war crimes,” Taguba wrote. “The only question that remains to be answered is whether those who ordered the use of torture will be held to account.” Taguba, whose 2004 investigation documented chilling abuses at Abu Ghraib, is thought to be the most senior official to have accused the administration of war crimes. “The commander in chief and those under him authorized a systematic regime of torture,” he wrote. ENDQUOTE George W Bush, torturer, proven liar ("We do not torture", he said.) Can we have America back, please? PLEASE? Can we stop defending this man and his administration, please? PLEASE?

A White House spokeswoman, Kate Starr, had no comment.

Surfer wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:57 AM:Backcountry[-] wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:07 AM: This Dude has conservativitis real bad. I mean, some one call animal control. He is foaming at the mouth while choking on his idealogical fantasy and his phony assumptions. Get the leash, gab a poop bag, and take him for a walk.

SOLON wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:59 AM:= Chuck is so kind. Less than ten minutes later (7:30 AM), he reminds us once again that Barack Hussein (the ‘good blessing’) Obama is not only bears a noble name, but is a appropriately named. Thank you so much Chuckie. Please keep reminding us.

Apollo wrote on Jun 19, 2008 11:59 AM:Re: Bucky (10:41 a.m.) and Floyd (11:25 a.m.)
Bucky erroneously states that the Democrats are "in charge" of the Senate and House, repeating a factual error he previously made several days ago.
It is true that they are in charge of the House.
They are NOT in charge of the Senate; they do not have a majority.
There are 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans and 2 Independents in the Senate.
The 2 Independents (Lieberman of CT and Sanders of VT) caucus with the Democrats, so they have a majority for purposes of committee and leadership positions, so they can control the flow of business.
But they do not have a legislative majority, especially since Tim Johnson (D-SD) has been sidelined with serious illness, and since Lieberman votes with the Republicans on Iraq.
Not only that, but Bucky obviously does not understand that you need 60 votes to override a filibuster and 67 votes to override a Presidential veto, so there is nothing close to a legislative majority while a Republican is in the White House.
Please, get your facts straight!

And Floyd makes blanket statements about "17 political entites" obstructing drilling. Please be specific. Please cite specific instances where a specific agency obstructed a specific project - description, date and location, please. Name names. Actually, Wiz hit a home run. The problem is obstruction and collusion by the oil companies to construct supply and drive up prices (profits). It is exactly the same thing Enron and the utility providers did here in 2000.

Surfer wrote on Jun 19, 2008 12:00 PM:Chuck[-] wrote on Jun 19, 2008 9:00 AM:
The power of the "risen people." Ain