LETTERS: NCT, June 22, 2008
By Readers of the North County Times | ∞
Amendment supporters applauded
I applaud the businessmen who support the ballot initiative to ban gay marriage ("Locals bankroll initiative to ban gay marriage," June 13). Also, Daniel McCalla of Fallbrook must have read my mind when he said, "Until the gays prove to me that they can have children, which is why God created marriage, I just think this is an abomination."
In addition, Daniel McNeill gives all of us food for thought in his statement: "If the amendment doesn't pass, I expect that within a year or so, gay couples will sue to demand that churches marry them." My dear fellow readers, can you believe this tremendous strain on the clergy to compromise their beliefs?
Wanda Carroll
Valley Center
Gays should follow her lead
I want to let Robert Hoehn know that I plan to voluntarily do my part to make sure that my "gayness" does nothing to affect either his marriage or his income in the future ("Locals bankroll initiative to ban gay marriage," June 13).
My Honda Pilot has been serviced at his Carlsbad location since purchase. However, in good conscience, I can no longer take my car there. You see, my car may negatively affect other cars' performance just by being there. What those other owners do with their cars, what type of gas they put in the tank, how they handle the car, the maintenance and care they provide obviously have much less to do with the life of their cars than my car being next to them in Mr. Hoehn's shop. You might think it makes a difference that I have been a good owner, I respect other people's cars and I really try not to cut anyone off in traffic, but I know that just my being there is a detriment to them. So I urge all gay and lesbian people in San Diego County to follow my example and do the right thing –– find another car dealer.
Melanie Henderson
Oceanside
Picking up his ball and going home
Regarding the online Community Forum by Thomas Becker ("Officers' actions a misuse of resources," June 16): Obviously the Mongols are not your everyday "Sunday afternoon bike riding" club. They are currently listed as an outlaw motorcycle gang by the attorney general of California.
The heavy and overpowering presence of law enforcement agencies is a proven deterrent to criminal activities. It demonstrates that a community will not tolerate the presence of a group, club or gangs that are known lawbreakers.
I resent Mr. Becker equating his life history as being more prone to support police work, as it obviously is not true. He should be capable of expressing his displeasure with what he perceives as a "misuse of resources" without resorting to mindless statements such as he "now has yet another reason to hate cops" and "they've lost exactly the kind of citizen whose support they need." So he is picking up his ball and going home simply because he does not agree with major league rules. Sorry, Mr. Becker, that is not support.
Jedda Lorek
Fallbrook
Republicans stalling the state budget
The California state Republicans are showing once again how they will stop at nothing to push their pro-corporate agenda. Now they refuse to pass a budget unless the hard-fought new policies to ban the dirtiest diesel engines and to curb greenhouse gases are rolled back.
Republicans claim the economy is more important than our health. It's obvious that the economy they are talking about is the status quo, not the emerging companies that filter diesel fuel emissions and not the new green-energy companies. The Republicans are showing how out of touch they are, clinging to traditional corporate allies regardless of the consequences.
California is one of only a few states in the U.S. that still requires a two-thirds majority to pass a budget instead of a simple majority. Until this is changed we will be facing these absurdities every year, and the Republicans will further tarnish our Golden State, driving it into still deeper debt.
Patricia Bleha
Carlsbad
Let's work for a more sustainable future
I am a senior at UC San Diego and I have just started driving this January. I have been looking forward to driving since I could walk, and I remembered admiring cars for the joy and freedom that came with the keys.
It's disappointing how now I dread having to drive. I am an unfortunate owner of a sports car that needs gas at $4.65 per gallon. Whatever happened to the joy and freedom of being able to sit in the driver's seat?
Gas prices will continue to rise. Increasingly, we see more and more drivers on the road, because we can't go to very many places without a car these days. I urge that we invest more in hybrid cars or other energy-efficient means of transportation.
I urge that we seek to improve our metro systems to make them more frequent, attractive and efficient to use. If we can increase bus and metro use among civilians, then we can reduce CO2 gas emissions, global warming, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of accidents that occur.
Let's work together to bring a more sustainable living for us and for our future generations.
Kelly Lam
San Diego
Republican's failed vision of the future
There is the sad news that the Japanese did it to us again. Thanks to the oil-driven mentality of our failed leader G.W. Bush, the press advises today that they have beaten us to the marketplace again with a hydrogen-powered car. They (Honda and Toyota) beat us in 2001 with hybrids and, in the '90s, Toyota with a fully electric car. Reps. Issa, Hunter and Bilbray's response last week at a fundraiser, as well as candidate McCain's position as reported in the press, was to promote more drilling, with not one word in favor of alternative methods of powering our vehicles.
Does anyone else but a Democrat see the lack of vision for the future? The lack of concern for the environment? The lack of championing the U.S. into becoming the leader, not the follower in what will be the technology of the future? ˇ
Vote 'em all out, and let's get on the way to being the leader we deserve to be.
Jerry Sarnataro
Fallbrook
Cheap illegal labor cause of unemployment
Bob Herbert ("Priority: job creation," June 12) evidently never evaluated the 12 million to 35 million illegal people that have more than caused this vast unemployment of 16- to 24-year-olds. None of those between 16 and 24 will become brain surgeons and are of mostly limited education or even dropouts.
In 1937/38, I was 16 years old in the middle of the Great Depression. Kids would hustle then to earn money because of parental training, guidance and need. In Midwest farm country we never heard of imported labor.
Recently a huge number of trees were cut to save water, and I will wager most of the work was performed by cheaper Mexican help. The young unemployed can pick avocados, citrus or strawberries and operate most all farm equipment. We can mow our own lawns or hire a Marine who can use extra income. Our politicians are supported by the agricultural, industrial complex that have become used to cheap illegal labor. We will soon see the two presidential candidates will do nothing to enforce the law. I'll just bet!
Bob Limpus
Fallbrook
Some teachers don't defend shock tactics
Monday's paper ran an article about El Camino High School's participation in the drunken driving program called "Every 15 Minutes" ("Teachers defend shock tactics in teen drunken-driving program," June 16). Though the article's title claims that "teachers" defend the shock tactics used in the program, I want to make it absolutely clear that there are plenty of teachers who opposed this hoax from the beginning. ...
As teachers who work closely with teenagers daily, it was appalling that we were asked to play along in such a traumatizing exercise. This event damaged our hard-won trust with some of our students, and has the potential to damage future relationships between adults and teens.
Did the program make its point? Yes. Does that mean that our ethical responsibility to be truthful to our students was justifiably trumped by this message? No. I hope the day never comes when I have to see an empty desk in my classroom –– many of my colleagues have suffered that incredible loss –– but if it does come, I hope that I have the courage to handle the situation with the honesty and respect it deserves.
Carrie Targhetta
teacher, El Camino High School
Oceanside
Amnesty defeated again
The American citizens rose up and defeated yet another illegal alien amnesty in May! This one was proposed by our own liberal senator in California, Dianne Feinstein. She and Harry Reid tried to pander to the Latino Caucus and special interest groups by slipping amnesty for millions of illegal alien agricultural workers into a defense spending bill. Again, frustrated Americans burned up the phone lines and fax machines in Washington and told these traitors no, we do not want to grant amnesty for people who came here illegally.
The farmers have tried to claim they need these illegal aliens to pick our crops, but that is simply not true! The H2A visa program allows farmers to bring in unlimited guest workers to work their farms. ... The H2A visa application process is time-consuming and more expensive since the employers are required, by law, to provide farmworker housing and other humane benefits. Instead, they prefer to force the migrants to enter the U.S. illegally, accept slave wages and live in filthy shacks in our canyons.
Reject all agricultural worker amnesties and force farmers to hire workers legally! Sign up for free faxes today at www.NumbersUSA.com and tell our politicians what you think.
Mari Hayden
spokeswoman, San Diego Minutemen
Oceanside
Understanding self-injurious behavior
Self-injurious behavior among disabled persons is increasing. Most are hidden in institutions and group homes, restrained and drugged. Ironically, combinations of skin-shock therapy, exercise, special diets and protective supervision are the most effective treatments. Yet this costs money and takes time.
Indeed, managing self-injury requires vigilant monitoring. Modifications. Discernment. The slightest toothache can trigger savage self-injurious attacks. Likewise, undetected blisters, splinters or ulcers. Ditto, loud noises, hunger, thirst or changes in scenery. In essence, a behaviorally and medically fragile group. Utmost dedication and experience are critical.
Sadly, there is an epidemic shortage of experienced professionals who understand this population. Psychologists don't have a clue how to handle self-injury. Consequently, they write ridiculous reports. Make spiritless suggestions. Moreover, psychiatrists only prescribe pills. This is fraud. Benign neglect. Please, if you haven't invested time or study into this complex population, don't pretend you can help. Better to give families access to state funds and resources currently controlled by bureaucrats.
Kim Oakley
Valley Center
Be a patriot like Oliver North
Col. North is a perfect example for my philosophy that laws are bad. To recap the history, it was illegal to sell weapons to Iran or to give weapons to the Contras of Nicaragua, yet Col. North committed both these criminal acts because what he personally believed in was more important than obeying the laws of our country. This is what I'm talking about, friends! Ignore laws that you disagree with.
Breaking the law made Col. North an American hero. This newspaper even gives him space for a column. His latest words were that waving a flag shows your patriotism, just as his decision to break our laws made him a patriot. C'mon, neighbors! Wave your flags! Break a law! Be a patriot!
I salute this newspaper and our country for promoting people who consider themselves above the law. Bravo! We must teach our children to march behind our heroic role models who are leading us into that glorious future where everyone can be a patriot and laws mean nothing. It's a shame that Al Capone's dead. He would fit right in at the North County Times. He had some really entertaining excuses for breaking the law.
Richard McKenzie
Vista
There should be a maximum age for being president
McCain is simply too old to be president of the U.S. The reason I have the right to make this statement is I'm about the same age, and I'm not half the man I was five short years ago, and neither is McCain. He can still sell the Repug line, but we're not hiring a salesman. We're electing a president, and he should be physically up to the job. His time passed him by when he ran for president in 2000.
The U.S. has a minimum age limit to become president and it should have a maximum age for the same reasons commercial pilots must retire at 65. The last old president we had was Reagan. Have you forgotten his last year in office? He had Alzheimer's disease!
Our nation can't afford a president who can't give a total effort for the job. In the past, there wasn't a problem I couldn't solve if I worked hard enough. Today I go home and take a nap, hoping it'll go away. If you don't want to take my word for it, consider members of your own family who are McCain's age. Do you believe they would be physically fit to be president for the next four years?
Joe Martin
Oceanside
Take back our state from environmentalists
The environmentalists control our governor, our Legislature, our courts and the California Coastal Commission. The governor and our water and power companies tell us that we must conserve water, electricity and gasoline, but they do nothing to restrict the increasing demand, like our ever-increasing population. Conservation cannot solve the shortage problem we face. Conservation can only delay the inevitable.
Conservation will ensure that we will run out of water, electricity and gasoline. This country did not become the greatest nation on Earth by conservation. When we needed more of something, we went out and produced it. That is why our manufactured goods and agricultural products were exported around the world.
By controlling our government, the environmentalists have blocked moving water to Southern California, desalination of seawater, transmission lines for electrical power and drilling for oil off our coast. What will they do if China drills off our coast, like they have off Florida? We the people need to take back our state and rebuild it into what it used to be.
Frank Thurlow
Vista
Let's not bag the bigger problem: global warming
I was inspired when reading the North County Times' coverage of the local movement to ban plastic bags in Encinitas ("Plastic bag ban gets community support," June 14). Our community understands that we must do our part for the environment, and it has to start locally. The same goes for global warming.
Last year devastating wildfires brought a taste of life on a warming planet. Global warming threatens our way of life here in Southern California. We can't wait to take action. While people here are changing their light bulbs, carrying reusable bags and using energy more efficiently, it is not enough to stop global warming. We need action from our leaders in Congress –– but they won't do anything until they hear from us.
This is a critical election year, and Rep. Brian Bilbray needs to give us a real plan for tackling global warming. His democratic challenger, Nick Leibham, has already stated his commitment to renewable energy, which is a great start. Both candidates should commit to real solutions to global warming. Let's turn up the heat on Bilbray and Leibham. Whoever represents our community in Congress should protect our homes and do what is right.
Jenny Binstock
North County organizer,
Greenpeace
San Diego
Know your housing rights
Same-sex marriage is the topic of the day. There are detractors and supporters on both sides of the issue. Sometimes, laws protecting the rights of everyone are a long time coming. Fair housing laws are an example, and really begin with the Civil Rights Act of 1966. They continue to be updated by the legislature. Equal protection in housing is guaranteed by both federal and state laws. Race, color, religion, sex, disability and familial status are federally protected classes. Age, marital status, source of income, sexual orientation, medical condition and arbitrary status are protected by state law.
We are a nation built on the idea that all men (and women) are created equal. To abridge any law, or diminish any protection offered to uphold this equality, necessarily diminishes us all. Whether buying or renting a house, obtaining a mortgage loan or insurance, only pertinent business information should be used in the decision-making process. If you are a banker, landlord or other housing service provider, personal and religious beliefs cannot come into play. Call your local fair housing provider or city hall for more information on your rights.
J.E. Kelly Matthews
Vista
Too much stick and not enough carrot
Regarding, "Legislating home-grown electricity," June 11: Ms. Saldana's bill is too much stick and not enough carrot. People need to be invited, not just required to do something new.
That said, the opposition to the bill reminds me of the days when the auto industry was forced to start cleaning up emissions and design in safety features that today we take for granted in our cars. Detroit protested that the requirements would raise the cost of cars out of reach of ordinary people. That, obviously, did not happen.
The "stick" of regulation was necessary to change the status quo, and we have all benefited from cleaner air and safer cars. The housing industry does not have to repeat the dysfunctional behavior of the auto industry. American engineers, contractors, architects, builders and Republicans are perfectly capable of providing the kind of housing we all will come to take for granted in the next few decades. Ms. Saldana, hang a carrot out in front so you don't have to resort to the stick!
Jonathan Cartford
Escondido
Human needs take precedent
Finally someone acts like he has good sense and, as usual, it's a Republican: John McCain. McCain wants to open the offshore oil wells. We need gas today, not in the far future, and we have plenty of it. Now I hope he has the guts to tell the environmentalists to go take a hike.
When it comes to gas in my tank or the caribou in Alaska, guess who comes in second? Not me! God says, "Isn't man of more value than the animals?" and he's able to care for both at the same time. I feel the same about the animals in the ocean. God supplied coal for the Industrial Age with 325 years to the good. Why would he not supply enough oil for the machines now? He would. Don't you know he has a fuel stored under the Earth to cleanse the world with fire soon? Why couldn't it be oil, and he's willing to share.
Too many idiot politicians get in the way with their idiotic ideas, and now we are at the mercy of foreign nations. The blame is not George Bush's alone. It goes back 20 to 30 years. Remember Jimmy Carter?
The little man is suffering, but do politicians care? Heavens no! It seems to be a case of "I've got mine, the heck with you all." May God show you the same mercy you are showing us. As for the oil barons, may all of your gold turn to dust.
G. Jean Snyder
Oceanside
Self-preservation trumps bad gun regulations
Joe Grant ("Gun people hate obeying gun laws," Letters, June 16) thinks poorly conceived gun regulations pre-empt an individual right to self-defense and that appeasement of violent, criminal predators is safer than resistance. James Spiers had a gun put to his head by a punk who showed willingness to kill for a few dollars. Spiers possessed the means to save his life, and exercised his right as a human being. Des Moines, Iowa, law enforcement supported his actions, and the Pizza Hut corporate suits showed incredibly poor judgment in firing him.
Mr. Grant cites his U.S. Army service in World War II and Korea to establish credibility for his attacks on lawful gun ownership. I know many veterans who fought in those wars, Vietnam, the Gulf War and the present conflict in Iraq who strongly believe in the citizen's right to keep and bear arms, and who are appalled at ongoing corporate and legislative efforts to infringe that right. I served on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise in the Gulf of Tonkin during Vietnam. Gun owners don#'t hate all gun regulations; they just despise the useless ones that empower criminals and get innocent people killed.
Jim Mosher
Encinitas
Good job by Marine Corps judge
The decision to dismiss charges against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani was the righteous thing to do ("Charges against Haditha commander dismissed," June 17). The courage and integrity of Col. Steven Folsom, presiding judge, to adhere to the rule of law is commended.
It is hard to decide whether it was gross stupidity or bold arrogance by Gen. Mattis and his staff when they decided to proceed ahead with filing charges against Chessani. It seems very evident that Col. John Ewers, who helped investigate the Chessani case, should not have become the legal adviser to Mattis and then be allowed to sit in on meetings concerning Chessani. The fact that Mattis said that he made his own decision concerning Chessani indicates that the general is oblivious to the guidelines concerning unlawful command influence. What about Col. John Ewers? Did it never occur to him that he might be doing something wrong?
In my opinion, Gen. Mattis and his staff incorrectly assumed they could violate Lt. Col. Chessani's rights and get away with it. Col. Folsom didn't let that happen. Gen. Mattis, the American people expect more from our military leaders!
Thomas Calabrese
Oceanside
Support those who support the community
The last two weeks of school are a busy time for all. I had the opportunity to attend two fun events at Oceanside High School (the annual Green and White Football Game), as well as McAuliffe School (end-of-the-year BBQ). Both events were supported and funded by the Oceanside Outback Steakhouse. I was amazed to see the owner, Janice, and her staff smiling and laughing as they diligently cooked and served the families of these schools. What most impresses me is her generosity year after year to the community of Oceanside. Thank you, Janice and the great Outback staff! ...
Peggy Carroll
Oceanside
Many gather to retire old, worn flags
Just prior to darkness descending upon the land, some 150 patriotic individuals gathered in beautiful Walnut Grove Park for the annual San Marcos Kiwanis Club and Cub Scout Pack 662 flag retirement ceremony. Anchoring the event was our mayor, Jim Desmond, a former sailor, who did a flawless job. Rick Barthel again this year made Johnny Cash glow with his recital of "That Ragged Old Flag." Carrie Clevers and her band of Kiwanians engineered a beautiful program.
Under the watchful eye of the San Marcos Fire Department, various groups, including the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Kiwanians, veterans, Daughters of the American Revolution and others, respectfully placed each of the over 200 tattered and worn flags to rest in the flames of the two fire pits. In memory of Tony Oubre, a survivor of Wake Island, POW and now deceased, I (a survivor of Pearl Harbor) solemnly dedicated the retirement of a flag. Others made similar dedications.
Guests were allowed to read the group such verses as "I Am the Flag," Red Skelton's "Pledge of Allegiance," "Freedom Is Not Free," "For I Am Your Flag," etc. Patriotic songs were sung, maybe off key a little, but heartfelt. ... We know we didn't recognize everyone who participated, mainly because everyone participated.
Theodore Roosvall
U.S. Marine Corps, retired
and Ed Bridges
U.S. Navy, retired
Better role models needed
In the June 8 edition of the North County Times, the Back Page lead article "Graduation story" caught my attention. Most people (especially Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson) have swept this story of the Duke lacrosse students, who were unjustly accused of raping Crystal Magnum ... under the rug. After months of inexcusable abuse against these students –– fueled not only by Sharpton and Jackson, but also the liberal Duke student body –– it was proven Magnum lied. No apologies followed!
Worse yet, Sharpton and Jackson played on the emotions of the (i.e., conned) black community to donate funds to send Magnum to college! Ironically, two of the accused students had to drop out of Duke to defend themselves and could not graduate this year. But, as the article states, Magnum graduated from North Carolina Central in, unbelievably, police psychology. To use against the police?
May I suggest to the African-American community that they ignore the rantings of Jackson and Sharpton. ...
Merrill Brown
Oceanside
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As young as you feel wrote on Jun 22, 2008 4:03 AM:Interesting that Joe Martin admits that he’s not half the man he was five years ago, that he’s about the same age as McCain, and that McCain is too old to be President.
Yet, every two weeks, he feels lucid enough to tell the rest of us how we should act and what we should think.
Maybe there ought to be an age limit on letter writers as well.
Crowded down below wrote on Jun 22, 2008 4:21 AM:From Wanda Carroll, "Until the gays prove to me that they can have children, which is why God created marriage, I just think this is an abomination."
Does she think that hetero married couples that choose not to have children are an abomination?
And isn’t there something in the Bible about sex being ONLY for procreation?
Mend your wicked ways, people, or you’re all going to hell.
Till death do us part wrote on Jun 22, 2008 4:49 AM:Hear a lot of talk about traditional marriage. But, traditionally and historically, weren’t most marriages arranged marriages? With the girl being married off in her early teens, sometimes in return for some kind of payment to her parents. Weren’t people supposed to marry within their own class? And within their own race? (There were laws about that.) And traditionally, divorce was a definite no-no.
Seems to me marriage isn’t as traditional today as some would have us believe. Almost like marriage has evolved over time to adapt to the changing cultural diversity of society.
Alf wrote on Jun 22, 2008 5:46 AM:The letter from Wanda Carroll does several things; it tries to justify and increase discrimination, it uses fear tactics and the attitude shown is not only anything but Christian, it also disgusts me, as it should disgust any thinking, rational person who not stuck in the dark ages. Regards, Alf.
Alf wrote on Jun 22, 2008 8:06 AM:One more thing about the letter from Wanda Carroll, when she says "My dear fellow readers, can you believe this tremendous strain on the clergy to compromise their beliefs?", she is in error. No clergy, to the best of my knowledge, are being asked or told to "compromise their beliefs". There are plenty of clergy who are more than happy to perform marriage ceremonies for "gay" couples. Clergy, unlike county clerks, have always had the legal right to refuse service to anyone. The Christian imperative of love and acceptance is easy when dealing with the well-dressed, homogenized, pasteurized, clean, "straight", non-criminals and such, it is a test of real commitment to one's declared faith to deal with "gays" or anyone else that society views as less than optimal. Among other things, this issue is separating the wheat from the chaff of those who profess to be Christians. I wish that the hyperbole and out-and-out lies would cease so that rational discussion could be had. Regards, Alf.
Old guy says wrote on Jun 22, 2008 8:26 AM:I agree, once again, with Joe Martin. But, I would replace Bush with anyone of any age.
Well established wrote on Jun 22, 2008 8:28 AM:One thing I've learned from those who post here and are obviously knowledgable about the Bible: the people who call themselves Christians who bark incessantly about marriage and abortion have absolutely NO connection to the Bible. The Bible, we now know, nowhere condemns abortion and mentions it only one, in a how-to section. And marriage in the Bible is arranged, tribal, and polygamous. Divorce is forbidden. Adulterer women get the death penalty. Over and over, we learn that those on the so-called "Christian right" are not connected to either Testament, but rather use God and Jesus as their tools to promote their own secular prejudices. Surely, if there is a hell, there are special places reserved for their heresies, vanity, hypocrisy. Until then, I do wish they'd just leave the rest of us, we who (like them) are secular and religious alike, alone.
Rick wrote on Jun 22, 2008 8:34 AM:Why so much concern about who marries whom? But, no mention of almost 5000 dead soldiers and marines? Priorities?
Alf wrote on Jun 22, 2008 8:35 AM:Yes, Jerry Sarnataro, this Libertarian does "see the lack of vision for the future". "Nero fiddles while Rome burns" is a phrase that springs to mind when thinking about "Detroit". It is sad, especially for a Libertarian, to see that the American auto industry won't do much to change or adapt or research for future changes such as alternate fueled cars, if anything, until one of two things happen; they are about to go broke because of stupidity, non-planning and arrogance OR they are forced by government. Being forced by the government results in much "We can't do it because (fill in the blank)" or "We can't do it in such a short time" excuse making. If I know, for example, that in 20 years I will need to re-roof my house and install an elevator because my knees finally gave out, then I save and set aside more than enough money for those things, I DO NOT wait until the roof and my knees fail AND THEN say "I don't have any money for those things" or worse yet "I didn't know that those things would happen" (an utter lie). If you never start on the road to somewhere, you can never get there. Regards, Alf.
Ron wrote on Jun 22, 2008 8:37 AM:Yeah, with 16 billion in proposed tax increases, I hope they continue to hold to their principals. Perhaps you didn't hear about it, Patricia Bleha. But let me, as I always do, fill you in on what just one of these current proposals are, OK? Your mortgage interest deduction. The Democrats are now calling the interest you deduct from your total tax liability "a loop-hole."
You are now in "the Rich" catagory. See how easy that was?
Now, if you want to pay the additional taxes on your own home, be my guest.
As for me, I don't think so.
But, finally...
raising taxes on regular Americans during a down turn in the economy simply will not work. In fact, it is quite "Hooverish." With gas at $4.50 a gallon, the Democrat's will punish people even more, than they are already being punished for our Govenor's stupidity.
Drill Here.
Drill Now.
Pay Less.
Ron wrote on Jun 22, 2008 8:55 AM:Let me put it to you this way, Jerry Sarnataro. No body give a rat's patootie about the future right now, We care about getting to work today.
We have allowed nearly 40 years of liberal Democrats & their enviro buddies rule the roost, and we are reaping what THEY have sown.
I think the best example of how this scenario will play out is when California was experiencing brown-out's & black-out's. Gray Davis, a long time enviro friendly Governor had to "clear the decks" on all the red tape, and delays put in place by the enviromentalist lobby, precisely to restrict electric power. Up until that time, we had not built a single power station because of so-called "enviromental concerns", and we were importing electrical power. In short, we laid at the mercy of the generosity of other States to produce power for us. Well, we all know how that played out. The Peope got angry, were not going to sit in their homes sweating just because some lizard, some snail, some type of grass was more important to some soy eating Governor.
The fire was lit, Davis felt the heat, and he "cleared the decks." We now how power plants. That the history, those are the facts. I say it will happen again. Mothers trying to feed their children, and drive them to doctor visits, aren't gonna give a rat's behind about a polar bear, or caribou way up in some far off land, when the kid is hungry or sick. Democrats know they are on the losing end of this fight, they know, and the shrillness of their "wait until the future" arguments will fall on deaf ears.
Drill Here.
Drill Now.
Pay Less.
Ron wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:07 AM:I guess my only question for Kelly Lam today is: Why not a Prius?
You instead bought a "sports car", why?
She says: "It's disappointing how now I dread having to drive. I am an unfortunate owner of a sports car that needs gas at $4.65 per gallon. Whatever happened to the joy and freedom of being able to sit in the driver's seat?"
The simple answer is: We have allowed the kook's in the enviromentalist lobby to limit our ability to built the power & fuels structures in this country for the last 40 years. Lack of vision, lack of foresight, all based on ideology.
Animals are more important then humans. Grass is more important than humans. Snails are more important than humans.
These are the facts. In fact, Democrats have long advocated higher fuel prices, why do you think they have another .50 cent tax waiting in the wings? If you think $4.65 a gallon is bad, try $5.15 cause that's where they want it. Oh, you gotta go grocery shop for a family of 4? Use the bus, yeah.. carry all those bags on the bus. Your kid is sick, take the bus. yeah, expose them to the cold, the wet, the other people on the bus. By not allowing you the relief you need, and deserve.. that's exactly what they are telling you. Tough. Or you could follow my lead?
Drill Here.
Drill Now.
Pay Less.
Alf wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:13 AM:Well, "Ron" at 8:55AM, I suppose that you will be the first to want a well pump on your property with your
"Drill Here.
Drill Now.
Pay Less."
What is the time lag between drilling for oil and when we see that oil as gasoline at the pump?
In order to "Pay less", will the oil companies be forced to charge "cost plus "X" percent" per barrel?
HA!
They will charge the market rate for the oil which will result in no change for the price at the pump.
Drill Here.
Drill Now.
Pay The Same Or More Anyway.
Regards, Alf.
Ron wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:17 AM:Have ya heard of video games, Carrie Targhetta? I support "Every 15 Minutes", I believe shock wil rech some students, not all, but some. Drunk driving is perhaps the most preventable crime we have. Personally, this is where I would mimick the Euro's, and strip a driver of their license if determined to be a repeat offender.
Drill Here.
Drill Now.
Pay Less.
Alf wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:25 AM:Well, "Rick" at 8:34AM, I mention the OVER 4,000 dead American Troops almost daily. Pelosi long ago declared a probable cure for further dead American Troops in Iraq, Impeaching and Removing GWB, to be "off the table". Congress does not have the guts or the bipartisanship to do what their jobs and The People mandate. Regards, Alf.
Ron wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:30 AM:And now that you have expressed your opinion, Joe Martin. In November, the rest of America will express theirs, at the ballot box.
Drill Here.
Drill Now.
Pay Less.
Rick wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:41 AM:You are correct, Alf. I just see a problem with people concerned about marriage, illegals, the economy, etc. while ignoring a war. They need to get their heads out of the sand, or that other place, and stop this waste of life. As long they focus on the other issues the war is ignored and continues. Don't think the current administration could be behind these smokescreens, do we?
Alf wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:43 AM:Well, "Ron" at 9:30AM, I have one thing to say to you -
Drill Here.
Drill Now.
Pay The Same Or More Anyway.
Regards, Alf.
There Now Same wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:49 AM:As we've learned so well by now, the oil companies already have leased millions of acres of land that has oil sitting under it. They can DRILL THERE, and DRILL NOW without needing us taxpayer saps to hand even more land and subsidies to them. But even if they did drill there and now, it will take years for that oil to be available (so the use of "now" is misleading) and, as Alf correctly says, this will not effect the price of our fuel. Ron is an oil investor, so he loves the idea of taxpayer handouts to big oil even as they make record profits each year. Those profits are of much more interest to Ron/big-oil than the plight of the commuter. Just another corporate-governmental con job. Never a tax dollar to a homeless person...save all those tax dollars for corporate welfare so that the Rons can make a buck without risk. Pure con job.
Ill Ask Again wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:56 AM:Regarding Iran: why now? To remind: Iran has no nuclear weapons and in all likelihood is not even moving much towards nuclear weapons. Their programs are being watched over by the UN, US and Israel so, like Saddam, they are obviously quite contained. They threaten no nation. Most Iranians desire better relations with the West and have been putting people in office who are more moderate than their Bush-like President. At the same time, Iran is virtually surrounded by hostile nuclear powers that let it know, daily, that they consider it an evil nation that needs regime change. So if they were anxious to get armed, it'd be quite understandable. Nevertheless, at the moment, they are not a threat to anyone in a serious way. So way, at this moment, do Cheney and Israel seem SO determined to provoke an excuse to hit them militarily? Why now? My feeling is that it's once again a willingness to initiate death and chaos for the sake of a political victory, namely, to put McCain in the White House. How many times do we have to see this ruse before we catch on? How many of us have to send our kids to their death for the sake of the GOP remaining powerful? Aren't you sick of being had in this way YET?
Reardon wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:58 AM:Alf: A simple economic question: Are you saying that any market, if flooded with product will maintain its high price?
Alf wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:01 AM:Well, "Rick" at 9:41AM, the current administration is behind the borrowing money for this "war" versus increasing revenue by way of raising taxes because they do not want us to feel it in our wallets. If we did feel it in our wallets, Pelosi wouldn't have the guts to declare Impeachment to be "off the table" and even those Republicans who have made GWB's vetoes virtually impossible to over-ride would be singing a different tune. As for the housing crunch, nah. The naturak disasters, nah. Obscene fuel prices, yup. Regards, Alf.
Apollo wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:07 AM:Re: Wanda Carroll (letter)
So Wanda wants gays to prove they can have children?
Does this apply to everyone who gets married?
I'm going to repeat my questions that I've asked several times, that no one opposing equal rights has yet answered:
Do you support a requirement of fertility test results along with that blood test?
Should post-menopausal women be denied the right to marry?
At what age do you propose drawing the line?
And this thing about the reason God created marriage?
So you admit it is a religious issue, and thus your definition does not really apply?
And you reduce the whole issue to reducing humans to the level of animals by making it purely biological: reproduction. But if you want to make it Biblical, doesn't the Bible say of marriage, in the lines oft repeated at so many weddings, "For this cause shall a man leave his mother and father and cleave unto his wife and they shall be one flesh"? It talks about the RELATIONSHIP and does not even mention offspring or reproduction.
You're trying to have it both ways, but you're missing on both counts.
Ron wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:13 AM:Actually, "Alf" @9:13 AM. I inherited some property from my grandparent's where my grandfather had leased the mineral rights to an oil company. I currently receive checks from that company. Yes, it takes awhile.
What do you do in the mean time?
76% of Americans now favor offshore drilling. Get on board, friend.
It will get very loney for you if you stand in the way of progress.
Drill Here.
Drill Now.
Pay Less.
Oh Reardon wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:15 AM:Are you suggesting that if we gave the oil companies some offshore sites and the ANWR they would happily "flood the market" with oil? To answer your question: if a market is flooded with a product, it's price does drop; but this has nothing to do with oil because no one intends, or would allow, the market to be flooded. Oh, Reardon, even on Sundays you wish to be sly, but are not very good at it.
Alf wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:15 AM:Well, "Reardon" at 9:58AM, in a simple supply and demand situation, a sudden increase in supply with demand remaining constant SHOULD lower the price. This is nowhere near a simple supply and demand situation, is it? You've got speculators driving up the price and lack of refineries. If a large supply of oil started pumping today, it would be months or years before more refineries came on-line. Even if there was no lag time, do you honestly believe that any oil company would price their product lower than they can get for it on the international market? I seriously do NOT believe that American oil companies would pass up a chance to reap the greatest possible profit. Regards, Alf.
Oh Ron wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:19 AM:Citing polls is suddenly popular! You who have disregarded polls on such as Iraq for years. Well, all the polls show is that the propaganda put out by the combination of big oil and their employees, the US government, is having its effect. I recall the Iraq invasion was similarly popular as the non-stop sales pitch from the White House and media bombarded us. Look where that led. The good news for you oil investors is that it will work, as the propaganda for the Iraq invasion worked. The oil companies will get their new sites handed to them, courtesy of those idiots who were polled. Your stocks will go up (more "hard earned" money, eh, Ron?). And maybe in a few years, we'll get our gas for $3.99 a gallon. You're a real patriot, Ronnie.
Alf wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:21 AM:Nope, "Ron" at 10:13AM, I don't climb aboard a rotten ship that's taking on water.
Pay the Same OR MORE anyway!
Regards, Alf.
Asking again wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:23 AM:It's been awhile, so this may be a good time to pose the question again. Under current law (not in California at the moment), two consenting adults can make a legal vow to one another for a lifetime relationship and get all kinds of legal and financial benefits if they are of the opposite sex but not of the same sex. We have now seen that "one man, one woman" marriage is not even supported by the Bible (and many aspects of intimate relationships that are strongly supported by the Bible are never even brought up here)and is not particularly "traditional". So, other than pure homophobia, what justifies this discrimination? Do we deny people Constitutional rights in America on the basis of "most people don't like them"?
DD Wiz wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:29 AM:The published letter from Frank Thurlow with the predictable broken record repetititve mantra "ditto, ditto" from self-described oil stockhoder "Ron" (8:37, 8:55, 9:07, 9:30am) who wants even more of your money, either don't understand the issue or are trying to game the system further by fooling you into turning over to them more of our most treasured environmentally-sensitive lands for drilling that is completely unnecessary because (as I have noted over the past few days) --
1) the oil companies already are "sitting on" millions of productive oil lease acres that are known to be productive; and
2) lack of drilling is not what caused the current price gouging, and is not what will solve it. When more people join me in casting off our addiction to oil, the price will fall because no one wants to buy it. The real solution is to STOP DRILLING!
And to recap, let's again re-visit the actual causes of the current price increases, which Mr. Thurlow and "Ron" and "Reardon" and all the other "can't do" negative pessimists want to stick their heads in the sand (or other dark, warm place) and avoid:
a) Fuel diverted from general supply to war in Iraq
b) Oil production greatly reduced, contrary to pre-war predictions that it would increase and pay for the war, because we were NOT "greeted as liberators" but rather as despised occupiers with intentional disruption of production and delivery systems by those seeking to expel the occupiers.
c) Increased demand from gas guzzling SUV's and the lack of fuel efficiency standards
d) Profiteering allowed for Big Oil by lax oversight from cronies in the Bush Oil Administration
e) Speculative investing in oil futures.
f) Devaluation of dollar against other currencies (such as the Euro) by the Bush Treasury Dept.
g) Increased demand from China and India
All but the last are directly related to failed energy, economic or international policies of the Bush administration, though they are not complaining because as you pay those higher prices, the profits are going into their pockets and their cronies'.
Nick wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:40 AM:To "I'll Ask Again": I will say it again. The bombing of Iran will be due to cheap oil flooding the market denominated in Euros. It is the same reason we invaded Iraq. Saddam, was releasing oil denominated in Euros. It is called The Iranina Oil Bourse. Just google and do a little research.
It HAS NOTHING to do with political moves or wanting McCain in Office. You speak like a typical Republican hating Democrat who can't read the writing in front of their nose because they are to busy hating and blaming Republicans for Everything.
The perverse manipulation of oil runs deeply on BOTH sides of the Party Line. It is controlled by the few and rich Power Elite, and Democrats are just as much at fault as Republicans.
Reardon wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:51 AM:There is now an "Alf" wing of the Libertarian Party. It is the "Pro-Regulation, Anti-Business, Suspiciously Conspiratorial" Wing.
It has one member. If DD was to change his registration from Democrat, it would have two members.
Come on Reardon wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:54 AM:Have you checked the prices of diamonds lately? How about beer at a ballgame? When a relatively small group controls the production, distribution and marketing of any product, they control the price.
How much more do you think you'd be paying for cable TV and electricity if those markets weren't regulated?
It's past time to do the same to the oil companies. It's actually a national security issue.
Ron wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:59 AM:Frank Thurlow is hitting on all cylinders today! For the last 30 plus years our own State legislature has been controled by the environmentalists. And it has been very convenient when they can publically say I support "X", and allow their minions do the dirty work. An example, My good buddy the Wizzer yesterday pointed to the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. What he, as all liberals, always leave out of the equation is levels of permission, and lawsuits. Do you know who was really good at this? Bill Clinton. Clinton actually allowed the leasing of land within the "Envriomentally sensitive" National Petroleum Reserve, knowing full well the the enviromental laws put in place to "protect the enviroment" were such enormous hurdles to overcome, drilling would never actually take place. Clinton was very good at this, remember "regime change in Iraq?" No intention to ever do it, just sign the paper and look like your actually doing something.
Anyways...
When you lease the land at one level, you still must clear the hurdles by other levels. As we so clearly saw when GWB said: Let's Drill!
And the Goven-a-tor said: No!
It could not be any clearer than that.
But, This is the Synergy of the Left, this public display of stating support, while at the same time saying to their buddies: pssst... "You guy's over here, take em to court."
I would encourage anyone to go and look them up. Year, after year, after year.. beginning in 1995, groups like
the Center for Biological Diversity, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Pacific Environment, Earthjustice, the National Audubon Society, Alaska Wilderness League, Natural Resources Defense Council, Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Sierra Club and The Wilderness Society, along with several native groups such as the Inupiat, have all taken their turn at suing to prevent any progress.
They maybe "sittin" on these leases, but the fact of the matter is, their hands are tied, tied up in court.
Drill Here.
Drill Now.
Pay Less.
Mari Hayden is correct... wrote on Jun 22, 2008 11:00 AM:Americans weary of the destructive effects of the millions of illegal aliens taking over our communites and the corrupt politicans who run cover for them. Ms. Hayden proves the point that Americans do NOT want any form of amnesty! Why doesn't the NCT's replace one of its many liberal editors who frequently promote illegal aliens through race baiting, and hire a refreshing writer like Ms. Hayden? Then I might re subscribe to this paper.
Reardon wrote on Jun 22, 2008 11:11 AM:The answers are obvious:
1. Direct all in-port nuclear ships and submarines to appropriate ports to instantly supplement the existing electrical supply. (Return all nuclear powered-ships to port – we are in a war against a non-naval force.)
2. 2 Build both high mountain reservoirs for water, and use existing caves and caverns for molten salt power sinks. Use night power generation to fill the high reservoirs or melt the salt for regeneration of hydro-power (water) and turbine power (molten salt) during the next day.
3. Build DC power links nationally to take power from solar and wind farms to population centers.
4. Drill and mine everywhere there is a source of fuel.
5. Pass a French-type law that forbids all lawsuits against nuclear power building and generation.
6. Let the market determine which power sources become most efficient and cost effective at any given time and maximize all efforts to reduce fuel costs AND diminish antagonistic foreign sources of energy.
All potential power sources need to be used. We cannot predict what source(s) will be best at any given time, and in each geographic location.
More power is better than less.
hardtack wrote on Jun 22, 2008 11:13 AM:To “As young as you feel” @ 4:03 AM: Priceless! Thanks.
Come on Reardon Part wrote on Jun 22, 2008 11:15 AM:If we did drill here and "flooded the market" the Saudis and the rest of the cartel would cut production accordingly. There is not a U.S. market for oil, there is a world market. The price is the price is the price no matter where it comes from.
Personally, I would rather use up their oil now, and pay a higher price, and save ours for crunch time.
Greenergy wrote on Jun 22, 2008 11:17 AM:A little help, please, Ron at 10:59 a.m.
You provide some fascinating material to contemplate, but I'm wondering if you could help me follow through with just a touch of documentation..
You mention the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, and then talk about "hurdles" placed by lawsuits from the "Governator." Now, if I'm not mistaken, the "Governator" is a clever play on a one-time movie role, and usually refers to the actor-turned-governor who played it: our California Governor Arnold.
But the National Petroleum Reserve is in, um, Alaska.
Could you please cite the specific reference to the lawsuits filed by all these organizations you listed, and especially our California governor, against drilling in the NPR. And please, try to pay attention, don't respond with suits about ANWR or California Coastlines. Wiz specifically mentioned NPR and so did you, so I would like the specific reference so I can follow up on what must be a very, very interesting matter of interstate litigation.
Anyone wrote on Jun 22, 2008 11:27 AM:Why are we not looking at hydrogen vehicls, Zero emissions only water, and thay are light years ahead of electric, hybrids and the like (all old school thinking). I understand we have no refueling suppert throughout the country, but you turn free enterprise loose on it, and you would have a hydroged filling station on every corner in 5 years. Great for the environment,and the economy. Anyone?
Apollo wrote on Jun 22, 2008 11:36 AM:Re: Reardon (10:51 a.m.)
What??? The same Reardon who just yesterday at 4:19 p.m. posted a regurgitation of the John Birch Society's wacky conspiracy theories is how calling Alf, of all people, "suspiciously conspiratorial"?
Not even an example?
And Wiz, too?
Is there a delusional wing of the Libertarian Party?
Sadly, Reardon has given up on issues and has deteriorated into name calling.
Reardon wrote on Jun 22, 2008 11:48 AM:I am in favor of regulation.
First we can regulate professional photographers.
Then the price of homes. Have you seen what has happened to an unregulated housing market?
Now, Come On, exactly what business is it that you are in?
Regulation can be fun!
hardtack wrote on Jun 22, 2008 11:53 AM:Alf: You do sound strange. I would expect a “Libertarian” to say something more like this: As long as everyone’s property rights are respected, let the Oil producers do what they do – and let their customers do what they do – and let prices do what they do.
From a practical stand point, I would say this is a much better long range solution to gasoline prices than price controls, or putting Maxine Waters in charge of Big Oil.
If you think otherwise, I’m sure Rearden has some property in the Everglades he would like to sell you.
Ron wrote on Jun 22, 2008 11:58 AM:You know... sometimes I'm just appalled by the ignorance. I really shouldn't be, given the fact most people do not read, do not know history, do not the iniative to even look stuff up. They just repeat, repeat, and repeat whatever someone else has given them, and mindlessly go on, and on, and on.. about subject matters they really know nothing about. I have pity for my dear friend "Come on Reardon" @10:54 AM for he is but one of these unfortunates.
He says: "When a relatively small group controls the production, distribution and marketing of any product, they control the price."
Exactly right. So why then would you punish a company like Exxon-Mobil who controls about 2% of the entire world-wide market?
There are much, much larger "oil companies", in fact, there are 16 State-owned companies which make Exxon look puney. All owned by foreign governments, not neccessarily our "buddies", who control the majority of the oil market.
Exxon-Mobil is a little fish, in a sea of sharks.
And further, back in the 90's America had 28 different oil companies. Today we have 19. Do you know which administration allowed these mergers?
Bill Clinton's.
And you guy's still have the nerve to claim GWB is an oil crony.
Better do some research, friend.
Nick wrote on Jun 22, 2008 12:36 PM:I would like to reiterate a point I made the other day regarding the price of oil, the weakening of the dollar and the stagflation of our economy.
Currently gold has been on quite a run and the price of gold tends to increase when there are too many dollars in the market. Remember when there are too many dollars in the market, the dollar becomes "cheap" and therefore something like gold becomes expensive (because people quit pursuing dollars and begin to pursue gold).
The bottom line is the Fed needs to raise interest rates or the market will do it for them. If the Fed doesn't raise interest rates we will see inflation in the double digits, which will cause financial institutions to raise interest rates substantially in order to continue to get a worthwhile return on their loans. If inflation is 10%, then a bank is going to loan you money at more than 10% interest in order to make their loan to you worthwhile. If they didn't, then they would be losing money.
Without a gold standard, the Fed has no means of determining how much liquidity markets demand, and all it does by targeting interest rates is guess how much liquidity to inject or withdraw to counteract mistakes it made earlier.
There is nothing mysterious about how gold could be used as a reference point or how a new monetary standard for a new millennium would work. It would simply mean the Fed would stop guessing how much liquidity is good for the economy and allow the market to make that decision for it. With the dollar defined in terms of gold and with American citizens free to buy and sell gold at will, the Fed would forget about raising or lowering interest rates and simply add liquidity (buy bonds) when the price of gold tries to fall and subtract liquidity (sell bonds) when it tries to rise. Markets would determine interest rates.
The paper dollar would once again be as good as gold-no more, no less. There would be no need for the U.S. government to maintain a large stock of gold or to redeem gold and dollars on demand since people would be free to do so on their own in the marketplace. As long as the Fed calibrated its infusions and withdrawals of liquidity by the market price of gold, the world would be free of monetary inflations and deflations caused by the whims and errors of central bank governors, as was the case for more than 200 years when the private Bank of England managed the pound sterling in exactly that way.
Cheers, Nick.
Nick wrote on Jun 22, 2008 12:39 PM:Hey "Apollo", just because your paranoid, doesn't mean they're not after you.
Do some digging amigo, and you just might find that it's not all conspiracy theories. What I have found scares and disgusts me, and the more I dig, the worse it gets.
Maybe you shouldn't dig after all.
Cheers, Nick.
Reardon wrote on Jun 22, 2008 12:39 PM:I see on CNN that Southwest Airlines has cheaper fares because they bought "futures" and currently pay only $51 a barrel for oil!
Hey, lets do away with futures trading and make Southwest Airlines pay spot market cost -- $134!
Sound like a good idea?
Bub wrote on Jun 22, 2008 12:43 PM:Why all the hubub about GAY MARRIAGE? Aren't all newlyweds "gay?" Gaiety is a sort of happiness. My great-grandfather lived during the GAY NINETIES, which was nothing about homosexuality. If this paper wants to do factual reporting, wouldn't it be accurate to refer to HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE? It's my understanding that these HOMOSEXUALS are proud to be HOMOSEXUAL, and so why not acknowledge them with their due respect? Stop degrading my language. The proper term is not gay, but HOMOSEXUAL.
Alf wrote on Jun 22, 2008 12:43 PM:Now, "Reardon" at 10:51AM, I did not advocate government control at all. I said, in essence, that the money-grubbing oil companies would not pass up an opportunity to reap profits while screwing the public. "Just because they (we) can" seems to be the mantra of many recently. One need look no further than the presidential directives and executive orders of GWB to see his conspiritorial works, his grabs at extra-Constitutional powers and his disdain of the Constitution and the American People. Regards, Alf.
Apollo wrote on Jun 22, 2008 1:00 PM:Re: Nick (12:39 p.m.)
Thanks for sharing, Nick. Everything but the specific charges, the specific evidence and the specific details of all these wild-eyed wacky conspiracies of Bildergergs, Tri-laterals, Councils of Foreign Relations, European bankers, Masons and, of course, boogeymen.
Bragging about much you've found that scares and disgusts you just doesn't go nearly as far as telling us exactly what it is and citing some objective sources we can turn to for verifying it.
When Reardon accuses Alf and Wiz of being in a conspiracy, now that's paranoia!
And as for Bub at 12:43 p.m., words and meanings change and evolve through time.
Oh, I forgot, speaking of paranoia, you're paranoid of that word "evolve."
Alf wrote on Jun 22, 2008 1:03 PM:Well, "hardtack" at 11:53AM, I do not say that there should be government interference, regulation, of oil or oil prices. I am trying to point out that "Ron" is full of it with his conclusion "Pay Less" to "Drill Here" and "Drill Now". There will be no reduction of fuel prices no matter what unless the government interferes. That's a statement based on observation. Have you read the article about the water districts? If we use less, they have to charge more to make the same amount of profit. With gasoline, if we use less (have less demand), they cut back the supply and still charge the same or more. If we use more (have more demand), they keep the supply just tight enough to continue jacking up the prices. Does that make me pro-regulation? No. Does that make me a realistic observer? Yes. Regards, Alf.
Apollo wrote on Jun 22, 2008 1:30 PM:Re: SDRaoul (11:23 p.m. yesterday)
Raoul says Obamacan writes "fiction" about Obama, but with no specific examples or documentation, this is just really, really hard to substantiate.
Raoul seems to have a problem with the fact that, when McCain failed to honor the conditions he based it on, Obama had to make an "executive decision" and decide to forego public financing (unless you count his record-setting fundraising from small, individual donors as public financing).
Big whooop-de-doo.
Raoul always screams about everyone else, but have you noticed he can never defend his own guy?
At worst, Obama makes one strategic change and Raoul goes ballistic.
In the meantime, his guy McCain, running for Bush's 3rd term, makes flip-flop after flip-flop after flip-flop and not a peep out of Raoul.
Torture? Against it before he voted for it.
Bush tax cuts for the rich during wartime? Against it before he was for it.
Offshore drilling? Against it before he was for it.
Global warming? Talks about doing something, but missed 22 crucial votes.
Flip -flop, flippety-flop.
Tell ya what, Raoul, if you want to talk about flip-flopping then, c'mon, let's talk about it!
Reardon wrote on Jun 22, 2008 2:05 PM:Apollo: I had a Mother-in-Law like you -- took everything literally. My "Bildergergs, Tri-laterals, Councils of Foreign Relations, European bankers, Masons and, of course, boogeymen" was a polite jab at my friend and fellow Libertarian Hardtack, who believes in such things, but as someone said "If you have to explain it..."
That is Hardtack's gambit, not mine. If your spelling is correct, I even mis-spelled on of the names -- just to show you how closely I follow that conspiratorial nonsense.
Apparently you follow it more closely…
Reardon wrote on Jun 22, 2008 2:10 PM:Alf: If I mistook your comment of a few days ago that you approve government building inspectors (while I support insurance building inspectors), to indicate that you favored government regulation of what could just as easily be a free enterprise solution -- my apologies.
To Apollo wrote on Jun 22, 2008 2:18 PM:Cancel the lift off, This is only June, We have a long way to go before November. Don't want to see you burn out early.
To Obamacanfans wrote on Jun 22, 2008 2:29 PM:I'm guessing Obamacan is not on salary, Must have the day off, Or, The Obama headquarters office is closed today.
To Apollo and Alf wrote on Jun 22, 2008 2:29 PM:Shouldn't you two be out picketing Hoehn Honda?
Chuck wrote on Jun 22, 2008 2:30 PM:Looks like a lot of eco-ninnies are weighing in but espousing the same
empty headed logic so common to the pubic education system of the 60’s and thereafter. Indoctrinate but don’t educate. Teach them to be parrots but not thinkers.
Two federal bans keep the U.S. from producing its vast offshore energy resources. The Executive Moratorium was instituted in 1990 and is set to expire in 2012, but can be eliminated by the president at any time. The Congressional Moratorium comes in the form of an annual appropriations rider in Congress. It expires every year and must be renewed annually by a vote in the Congress. Neither have the force of permanent law.
Our elected representatives are paid to serve the people, but not a single person or family in the United States is served by maintaining this outdated ban on American energy production. Since the Congress has made it clear - year after year - that it does not have the courage to take decisive action, President Bush should take the first step. He has the authority to tear up one of the two bans on offshore energy production that form a wall between American consumers and affordable energy. He should just do it and do it now!
Chuck wrote on Jun 22, 2008 2:40 PM:I don’t do a lot of posting on these sites so I guess I’m not familiar with Reardon, but his post of 11:11 AM “the answers are obvious” reflects more inductive and deductive reasoning then I honestly believed existed today. In a word, BRILLIANT!!!