Bill wrote on Jul 7, 2008 2:43 AM:Oh Buzz?

Just how did Exxon guarantee all this?

The only court that I know of that allows appeals for any reason other than court error is small claims.

Just how did Exxon get the continuations?

How did they get the appeals courts to listen unless they had grounds for appeal?

The only way to get an appeal even heard is if you have grounds

In other words: COURT ERROR.

That is the only way it can be done.

Obviously, Exxons attorneys objected to some form of error and preserved their right for appeal or it would have been waived. You can not introduce new evidence at the appellate level and never have been able to.

You are barking up the wrong tree.

The ones to blame are the judges that made mistakes at the trial court level which gave Exxon grounds. These are the judges that were on the bench BEFORE Bush was elected. Appeals can only happen when a judge allows the record to be polluted in some way that prejudices the court. This can happen in many ways such as allowing the jury to hear some form of inadmissable evidence etc.

Such as:

Expert witness giving an opinion on the cases outcome.

A witness allowed to get hearsay, speculation, presumptions etc. on the record.

A judge allowing an attorney to testify for his client with NO first hand knowledge of the facts. An attorney can not act as both an Attorney and a witness.

A lay witness testifying as an expert.

These are several things that give rise to appeals.

How did Exxon insure all this again?

The goverment had the burden to prove all 4 elements of negligence which are:

1. Duty
2. Breach
3. Damages
4. Causation (direct link between damages and breach)

Just proving that it occured isnt enough. The damages are PUNITIVE and based on Exxons net worth.

They are also based on their level of NEGLIGENCE.

They would be insane to just throw themselves at the mercy of the court.

This case went this long because the courts made mistakes.

Thats the only way it can happen.

The truth is that it has always been that way. You are BADLY confused on how our legal system works.

This never could have happened without court errors appealed by Exxon attorneys.

There are no other mechanisms codified in law to do it otherwise.

Anything to blame on Republicans huh?

You dont know what youre talking about Buzz.

But would you really be happy paying even more for gas?

Thats what would happen.

Bush is damn if he does and damn if he doesnt.

Bill wrote on Jul 7, 2008 3:04 AM:Frank Straw is right.

As a Conservative Republican, I feel the need to call out my fellow Republicans on the gay marraige issue.

The constitution protects everyone from the tyranny of the majority and that is EXACTLY how the framers intended it to be. This includes gay people. All this "Will of the People" stuff is nonsense and shows a complete misunderstanding of the courts role in our republic. The upcoming initiative will be shot down by the courts as it should be based on CONSTITUTIONAL LAW. The civil union is NOT the same thing and does NOT afford the same rights.

Full faith and credit?

Nope.

Sorry but that alone is discriminating and barred by the 14th ammendment. I am pro on this issue because when that decision came down, the next morning I was still happily married and was not affected in any way.

The courts ruling was not a case of activist judges any more than the Second Ammendment ruling that just went down was.

I will stand up for justice every time so that when I need justice to stand up for me........

Justice will stand up for me too.

The truth is that NOBODY is damaged by gays being allowed to marry.

If you are then get over it.

Thats your problem.

This is America and you have a right to be gay in America.

If you dont like it, find another country but dont go messing with constitutional issues that protect all of us.

We would all regret that in time as that is a slippery slope.

An unconstitutional one too.

Observer One wrote on Jul 7, 2008 3:13 AM:Attention Mr. DD and others. Some of you may become excited at the news that Toyota plans to install optional solar panels on the roof of some of it’s high end Prius hybrids with the launch of it’s third generation Prius next year. It will not run the car of course. It may provide PART of the electricity to run the air conditioner. Maybe the A/C fan motor? I doubt they can provide enough to power the air conditioner compressor, although it is a small car with commercial panels. It is more practical to use very expensive higher-powered solar panels on satellites that cost $80 million and up including launch costs. No details have been publicly announced yet. It looks like they plan to use solar panels made by Kyocera. It is not widely known but Mazda did offer a solar panel option in the early 1990’s for several years on the Eunos and Sentia. The panels powered a system to ventilate the cars while parked under the hot sun. That sounds like a good idea but it was expensive and not popular enough so it was discontinued.
My dark blue car is reaches 145 degrees if left in the sun for a short time with the windows up. It reaches 125 degrees at the height of a small baby or child’s head in a car seat if left in the sun for a short time with two windows open about two inches each. Do not misunderstand. I took these measurements with no one inside the car. When I come back to it I usually open all four doors for a minute or two before I get in. I am surprised how many people just immediately get into a car that was closed up and is 125 to 145 degrees inside and drive away.

Bill wrote on Jul 7, 2008 3:21 AM:Read what this says:


Amendment XIV
(Ratified July 9, 1868)

Section 1

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.


There is nothing ambiguous about the 14th ammendment.

To Brian Williams wrote on Jul 7, 2008 3:22 AM:Commenting on Brian Williams letter above. LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!!!

Nature Lover wrote on Jul 7, 2008 4:17 AM:In a letter today Buz Barlow complains about the Supreme Court reducing the punitive damages to only $500,000 million. Does he remember this award of punitive damages is on top of a huge amount of actual damages paid for at after the shipping accident including clean up costs, lost wages for fishermen and other such things long since paid out. The Supreme Court wisely ruled the punitive damages were far into the unreasonable realm. He is free to never give another dime to Exxon-Mobil. However it will not even amount to a drop in a bucket. It will not even compare to a drop of water in an Olympic sized swimming pool. What’s more many Exxon-Mobile stations are owned by individuals who bought franchises and who had nothing to do with the oil spill. And IF what he is doing would hurt Exxon-Mobil you maybe he would be hurting his own financial interests if he has a 401K savings plan, or a pension from any number of companies or cities. Nearly all such funds have part of their savings in the energy sector, and part of that is in Exxon-Mobile. And he would be hurting other elderly persons who have saved money for their retirement and put it into large company stocks.

OBAMACAN wrote on Jul 7, 2008 5:04 AM:The McCain people have now become so desperate to find something, anything, to defend their hopeless guy after they can find either nothing positive in his record or nothing negative in his opponent's, that they are now resorting to lies more outrageous than we have yet seen, and the North County Times is complicit in printing this dishonest filth.
The letter from Merrill Brown completely makes up his own "facts" to try to smear Obama. He refers to "Obama's plans to increase taxes on everything as well as eliminating every deduction possible." This is an outright LIE, since Obama's plans would reduce taxes on 95% of people, and as for "eliminating every deduction," I thought it was the conservatives who wanted to eliminate tax loopholes and "simplify" taxes. Kind of puts the lie to that whopper, doesn't it?
Then Arlan Brown (is this a concerted attack by the Brown family?) misrepresents what a much-decorated retired general, Wesley Clark, actually said. Clark did not attack McCain. When Bob Schieffer, in a "Face the Nation" interview, pointed out the "experience" that McCain had as a POW, Clark noted it was courageous and honorable, but also rightly noted that being shot down and held prisoner does not make someone qualified to lead a nation.
Beware when an entire campaign is built around lies and deception. Why are they so afraid of the truth?

Ron wrote on Jul 7, 2008 5:23 AM:QUOTE: "I ask you: Will you continue to buy gasoline and other products from Exxon-Mobil? I will not. I will never buy gasoline at an Exxon or Mobil station again." ~Buz Barlow

That's cause, ARCO built a shiny new station right across the street from my house. And they sell beer!

Ron wrote on Jul 7, 2008 5:41 AM:Speaking of change, Merrill Brown...

What do you call a person who preaches about the evils of paying women less than men, but allows that very practice in his own office?
Now, some might call that person a hypocrite.

Most women working in Obama's Senate office are paid at least $6,000 below men working for the Illinois Senator.

Change you can believe in?

Marky Marx wrote on Jul 7, 2008 5:50 AM:Orv Hale's letter is just another example of xenophobia towards imigrants. How could he be sure those people were "hispanic". Most day laborers are here legally. I don't get his beef. Power to the peeps!

Ron wrote on Jul 7, 2008 5:52 AM:Of course, South Korean people are
concerned about mad cow disease, and that's why THEY are testing before the beef leaves the US.
Just as the Japanese inspect oranges for pests prior to those crops being exported to Japan.
The change, is that the buyer of the product {South Korea} is now doing the tests, lifting the requirement of a testing on the US cattle industry.
There is simply no sense in having the Koreans do it, after US cattle has tested it.
When cattle is imported, it is tested by law. During the time the cattle remains inside the US, peridocally, the cattle is again re-tested by US cattle.
Get your facts straight, Gary Myers.

Chuck wrote on Jul 7, 2008 5:54 AM:The news is reporting that GM reportedly mulling thousands of job cuts, sale of brands. Thanks to the liberals who say NO to drilling and nuclear, more and more jobs are being lost daily, commodity inflation is rampant, and the dirty evil stock market (holding the pension funds of the same liberals, including that same GM, now at $10 a share) is dropping precipitously. And liberals thing the people are going to run in to vote for Hussein. The welfare crowd will, and they should, everyone else will vote to keep their job.

Chuck wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:00 AM:I see the 2 candidates are coming to town to suck up to LaRaza at their convention in San Diego. Why anyone would want to talk to racial supremecists who hate America is beyond me. I just wish the liberals who spew hate at America for America's invasio of Iraq and Afghanistan, would show the same level of hate to the illegal invasion of America, but instead, they embrace it. Illegals have killed and maimed more Americans than our operations in the Middle East, but, why would liberals care

Ron wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:08 AM:Ah, yes... the old AB 2474 trick again, eh? Nancy Pickering?

It's the old End-of-life options, and the Right to Know Your Options Act trick again.

Try googling Barbara Wagner, a 64-year old Oregonian who was offered "palliative care" instead of the cancer treatment prescribed by her doctor. One such palliative option was doctor assisted suicide.
When the Oregon Health Plan was established in 1994, it expressly intended to ration health care. A prioritization list was drawn up, with diagnoses and ailments deemed most important; pregnancy, childbirth, preventive care for children.
Future taxpayers were placed at the top of the list.
At the bottom of the list, were other procedures, which would not be covered for cost purposes.

California is simply setting the stage.
Healthcare for all?

Ron wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:15 AM:Wesley Clark is a useful idiot, Arlan Brown. Obviously, he thinks he is auditioning for a job inside a Barack Obama Administration. Once the campaign is over, he'll have to go back to his miserable life.

James wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:21 AM:So yesterday I get stuck trying to get off the freeway. It Seems that GWB and Cheneny stopped caltrans from syncronizing the lights on that intersection, damn them this has to stop.

Chuck wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:35 AM:>>>All this "Will of the People" stuff is nonsense>>> Yes, comarade

SOLON wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:38 AM:== Chuck must have overslept yesterday. His first mention of the noble name of Barack HUSSEIN Obama was not until 12:27pm. Don’t go wobbly on us now, Chuckie. You are our reveille trumpet blower to announce to us at the crack of dawn that HUSSEIN (translates as HANDSOME or GOOD) Obama is leading the new army of peace and justice in America. Please sound your reveille trumpet a little earlier, and keep this good man’s name held up high. We love you for this.

Alf wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:46 AM:My question to Orv Hale is, why do you buy overpriced flavored water at that place? Must you consort with that devilish establishment? Regards, Alf.

SOLON wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:48 AM:== Things are getting so much better in Afghanistan, Mr. George W. Bush keeps telling us. While San Diegans were blowing up fireworks on Oceanside Pier, Bush was blowing up women and children in an eastern Afghanistan province.

At least 30 people were killed by the American blast - 19 of them were women and children.

The information had come from police and other officials investigating the incident in the remote area of Nangarhar province. A man at a hospital in Jalalabad told AP news agency that the group was a wedding party on its way to the groom's house.

However, US military personnel have denied reports that the group were civilians. Hospital people cannot be trusted to tell the truth because they cannot tell a child’s body parts from those of an adult.
"It was not a wedding party, there were no women or children present," he said.

DD Wiz wrote on Jul 7, 2008 7:02 AM:The post from "Observer One" (3:13am) seems to unilaterally jump to the conclusion that just because someone sees the word "solar" they will assume capacities not supported by facts.
It seems that this is all the "can't do" negativists have to offer; set up a straw man and knock him down.
I can assure you that all output capacities were carefully weighed against total costs and benefits before I put solar photovoltaic panels on my house, and can also assure you that they have so far met or exceeded all predicted capacities and, in the seven months since, I have had zero electric charges.
I can also assure you that if and when I see solar cells in conjunction with autos, from Toyota or otherwise, that I willnot assume what they can or cannot do. I will evaluate precise specifications and output capacities in regard to performance. I do not feel it is likely we will ever see a car entirely driven by onboard solar panels. However using such panels for cooling, or for partial auxilliary charging while parked for many hours of workday sunshine, or use of external panels (such as on your house) are extremely feasible.
Please do not jump to conclusions in assuming the conclusions others may jump to.

SOLON wrote on Jul 7, 2008 7:02 AM:== Observer One (3:13 AM) is my kind of guy: Give copious new information at the break of dawn (My dawn, not his. I just got up, but he wrote all good information in the middle of the night, like a good journalist.)
The new solar panels atop the new Prius just adds to the hybrid mix. Every little bit helps, and helps make mass manufacturing more possible.

I just hope Detroit can move swiftly enough to keep from going down the tubes.

And good advice about getting into a super sun-heated car right away. Don’t do it for your own health. And get one of those thick insulated fold up windshield screens. They reduce the heat buildup at least 10 degrees and save on the interior.

I beg to differ Ron wrote on Jul 7, 2008 7:18 AM:Ordinarily, I agree with much of your commentary, however:

You say, "There is simply no sense in having the Koreans do it, after US cattle has tested it.
When cattle is imported, it is tested by law."

I would say, as a soveriegn nation, ROK can do anything they want.

And, if imported food to the United States is not tested, simply because ANY exporting country tests it, I would say we are being foolish.

Exporters should test, importers should retest. When it comes to public safety, there is no reason not to have a "2 man rule", "built in redundancy", "Peer review", or whatever you would care to call it.

SOLON wrote on Jul 7, 2008 7:18 AM:Condasleezza and Bush will loose on the beef issue. Condi and Dubya can’t make the Koreans eat beef if they don’t want to.

Did you see the aerial photo in the NC Times yesterday of the candlelight protest in downtown Seoul? STUNNING! When oceans of people show up at a candlelight protest against tainted American beef, you know the word is out in Korea. Don’t buy this stuff! Whether it is safe or not (???) is not the question for American beef growers. The question is whether Koreans will eat their beef after all this ruckus and bad publicity. There are limits to the power of corporate and political coercion.
I love the taste of beef myself -- but I don’t eat it anymore, and I can testify that my coronary health has improved. And I don’t want to take the chance of catching bovine sponge disease.

Maybe Chuck thinks I have it already. He is familiar with the symptoms.

SOLON wrote on Jul 7, 2008 7:25 AM:== Chuck is not an anti-Semite ==
My abject apology to Chuck, for charging him with oversleeping reveille yesterday morning. He actually hoisted the banner with the noble name of Barack HUSSEIN Obama at 7:31 AM. I must have been asleep myself and missed Chuck’s early morning clarion call. Furthermore, Chuck’s announcement was the very first blog of yesterday.

We appreciate your diligence in announcing to all us readers each morning the noble name of BARACK (translates as BLESSING) HUSSEIN (translates as GOOD or HANDSOME) Obama. His Hebrew-based name is still unfamiliar to Americans, and Chuck is quickly educating NC Times readers of the noble name of our next president.

With gratitude to Chuck, who wages a valiant battle against anti-Semitism and racism.

Focal Point wrote on Jul 7, 2008 7:28 AM:Arlan Brown: What a yahoo. Gen Clark did not disparage Sen McCain at all. In fact, he praised McCain's service. Gen. Clark did question McCain's ability to be a theater commander and President of the United States of America and as a Commander in Chief. I think Gen Clark has a right to express his opinion, as an American citizen, as a former 4 star general and theater commander, who was number 1 in his class at West Point and as a verteran who was awarded the Silver Star and was shot four times in Vietnam.

FASCIST wrote on Jul 7, 2008 7:34 AM:--- How presumptuous and anti-American of Nancy Pickering (lette) to believe a person has the right to kill themselves, just because they a feeling a little pain. Non of this ‘mercy-killing’ propaganda.

Your life belongs to the STATE. If GOD allows you to be born in this great country, you have a duty to SERVE until GOD calls you.

Focal Point wrote on Jul 7, 2008 7:36 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on Jul 7, 2008 5:54 AM: When will GWB allow domestic oil drilling by executive order? Why not today? Or, is GWB just waiting for even high prices? Why does GWB and his Bushites hate the American people?

Hale and Walker... wrote on Jul 7, 2008 7:39 AM:Letters by Orv Hale and Gary Walker are right on. Mr. Hale: As a woman I and my family will not shop at Quince and Mission because of the large crowds of illegal aliens and Latino's begging for work and harassing drivers. As a woman, I and other females find it very intimidating, not to mention one of my girlfriends received lewd gestures from one of them the time we went. It's dangerous. Mr. Walker: It's unfathomable how the illegal aliens and scary people like Bill Flores and Olga Diaz who defend and protect them and think they should be exempt from our American laws. These police checkpoints actually do work by removing dangerous and illegal drivers from our roads. Illegal aliens are a serious threat to our communities safety and stability. Of the more than 4,000 arrests made last year alone, more than 25% were illegal aliens (yes, I even took the time to call EPD HQ to get 'stats'), most of whom were Latino's from Mexico and points south. All our friends and people we know admire and respect Gary Walker's 'Letters' because they're so candid and reasonable. Go Walker; Go Hale! Go EPD: we want MORE checkpoints done MORE frequently.

A. Rose wrote on Jul 7, 2008 7:41 AM:‘don’t give a rats behind if the electricity that powers my home is from oil, gas, coal, nuclear, solar or burned bird droppings – just so long as when I click the On switch, the light lights up. I prefer fuel from friends rather than enemies, so I favor drilling anywhere friendly people got available fuel. I prefer cheap.

I don’t give a rat’s behind if the fuel in my car is gasoline, ethanol, hydrogen, or burned bird droppings – I just want the damned thing to move when I press the GO pedal. I don’t like being dependent on people who don’t like me, so I would like to drill anywhere and everywhere there is the potential for finding fuel in any area where people like us. I prefer cheap.

ANWAR is just fine. Offshore is just fine. Canada is fine. Mexico is iffy. Venezuela is bad. Saudi Arabia is awful bad. Iran is still worse.

Debate all the fine points of who shot John, and who is responsible for what. ‘Makes no nevermind to me. Just keep the lights on and the wheels rollin’.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way cuz’ if you ain’t part of MY solution you are part of MY problem. Being part of my problem ain’t gonna’ be no comfortable place to be!

But, your choice.

Ms M wrote on Jul 7, 2008 7:42 AM:James
[-] wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:21 AM:So yesterday I get stuck trying to get off the freeway. It Seems that GWB and Cheneny stopped caltrans from syncronizing the lights on that intersection, damn them this has to stop....WOW I had not heard about that. But I do KNOW that they have screwed up this country BIG TIME!

A. Rose wrote on Jul 7, 2008 7:52 AM:Want to see the future? Look to Europe!

From today’s WSJ: “While American politicians mull a carbon cap-and-trade system for industry, our British cousins are already contemplating the next step: personal CO2 rations.
A Parliamentary committee in May proposed giving all British adults "carbon allowances" that they would be required to spend – along with, you know, real money – when buying gasoline, airline tickets, electricity or natural gas. Britons who wanted more credits than they were issued could try to buy them – again, with real money – from those who hadn't spent their allotment. All of this is supposed to give people a financial incentive to reduce energy consumption and thus their carbon "footprint." (Unquote)

This from a Nanny State that is ordering it’s consumers to eat all the food on their plate, and to stop throwing away so much food.

Coming soon to a Congress near you!

Alf wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:03 AM:Well, "SOLON" at 7:18AM, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, is that what makes a person an "air-head"? Regards, Alf.

Surfer wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:03 AM:Ron[-] wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:15 AM: Dude, I have read Gen Clark's resume. He is not an idiot. May we compare your credentials to his accomplishments?

He Said to Solon wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:07 AM:I don't know very much about this solar panel thing but I read the following from a blogger on one of the announcements which related to the solar panels for some new Prius's:

Not only are they carting umpteen thousands if tons of exotic metals all across the globe and back to make their batteries at God knows what cost to the environment, they have decided to rape old-growth forest as well.

The solar cells they will be using will be made of silicon smelted with charcoal made from old growth forest hardwoods. The new plantation softwood stuff just doesn't cut-it for this high tech product.

Every day, in every way, the Prius gets better and better at faking Green creds, duping millions of doctor's wives, and raking it in for Toyota.

Disclosure: I drive a modern diesel that has far far more power than a Prius, better economy for all useful trips, and far better whole-of-life green creds.

Solon, any truth to these comments?

OBSERVATION wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:07 AM:McCain Pledges to Balance Budget in First Term.

Apollo wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:09 AM:Re: Nature Lover (4:17 a.m.)
Nature Lover joins the corporate-controlled Republican appointed (7-2) Supreme Court in failing to understand what punitive damages mean. Or maybe they do understand, but are compelled to protect their corporate cronies or their stock investment portfolio.
Punitive means TO PUNISH.
It is additional damages, in addition to actual damages, meant to PUNISH wrongdoers for intentional or malicious behavior that goes way beyond there mere violation of a contractual term or a careless act of negligence. It is meant to HURT.
Yet this Supreme Court, in recent years, has adopted the unprecedented stance that punitive damages must be "proportional" to actual damages. Why? They are meant to PUNISH. They must be large enough to get the attention of corporations engaged in egregious wrongdoing such as allowing a known drunk to pilot a ship full of oil through treacherous waters while his impaired condition was obvious to all.
It can be debated whether this was an accident or behavior so egregious as to warrant a penalty. But that is a question of fact which only the jury can decide. The question of law, decided by judges at trial or on appeal, is the applicability of scope, and the jury determined the amount it would take to create sufficient deterrent to future wrongdoing.
Since these punitive awards are separate from actual damages, as Nature Lover notes, I would not object to reforming the system to allow a sizable portion reverting to the General Fund instead of the plaintiff, but in the meantime must object to misrepresentations of what punitive damages are meant to achieve.

Ms M wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:16 AM:James
[-] wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:21 AM:So yesterday I get stuck trying to get off the freeway. It Seems that GWB and Cheneny stopped caltrans from syncronizing the lights on that intersection, damn them this has to stop....WOW I had not heard about that. But I do KNOW that they have screwed up this country BIG TIME! (2nd posting)

Didja catch it wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:16 AM:There goes Ron again, Mr Marine, Mr Military, Band of Brothers, Semper Fi. Unless of course a decorated veteran happens to be a Democrat like Wesley Clark. Then he's a tool who has a miserable life. We see how much respect Ron has for veterans again. Never fails. This wouldn't be interesting if it were only about Ron, of course. This is perfectly standard Rovian, Republican strategy. You point the finger of being anti-military and unpatriotic at every opponent until an opponent appears that is former military. Then you toss all that stuff overboard in favor of insulting the vet's career or life. We saw it with Gore, Kerry, now Clark, but we have also seen it with every former officer and Pentagon person who has come out against Bush. It has taught me something simple, but which I never forget: whenever the right talks about patriotism or military heroism in all those corny ways: they are lying, period. These values, they prover repeatedly, mean absolutely nothing to them. Now, compare all this to what Wesley Clark actually said. John McCain, he said, was a true hero. Clark went on at some length about this. But that his military experiences don't necessarily prepare one for the Presidency. That is many tons more respect to the truth and to the adversary than Ron and his fellow Rovians show.

GAY MAN wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:21 AM:.... Enlightened societies accept homosexuals. Truly said, Frank Straw. Enjoy your letters.
Would you rather live in an enlightened society or in a regressive religious society.

Choose nine of the following lands where you would most like to live:
Canada, Malaysia, Belgium, Zimbabwe, Norway, Saudi Arabia, California, Russia, South Africa, Nigeria, Gambia, California, Spain, Massachussets, Mississippi, Kansas, Senegal, The Vatican, Norway, Brazil, and Poland.

If you chose Malaysia, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Niegeria, Gambia, Senegal, The Vatican, Poland, Mississippi or Kansas, you enjoy living in a regressive religious society.

Currently same-gender marriage is legal in The Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, South Africa, Spain, Massachusetts, California, and Norway (which accepted full rights just last month). Also Brazil is totally accepting of same gender relations and attracted almost two million people at its giant Gay Pride parade in Sao Paulo last year. Of course, the Brazilians look for a good excuse to have a good time. How despicable! God does not approve of good times.

Same-gender marriage is a civil right whose time is bursting into being around the world.

OBSERVATION wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:22 AM:Iraq's al-Maliki wants short-term US agreement

to SOLON wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:22 AM:Regarding the bombing in Afghanistan that killed civilians. This is an interesting case, because it directly pits the word of the US military against the word of the local government, and there's no grey area. The Afghans say we did this, the US military says we didn't. It's a clear testiment to the state of our nation when most rational people who read about this believe the Afghans. We have been lied to about this kind of thing so often by now that anyone except people with chronic amnesia just knows that we did, in fact, blow up civilians. Of course, I could be wrong this time, but that's not the point. Most of us who pay attention simply have come to expect marketing, not truth, from our government. So much so, that spokespeople for our enemies are more credible. This is terrible, and the solution isn't just to "be patriotic" and decide to believe our government. If only!

sdraoul wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:24 AM:Poor Obamacan, linking himself (herself) with Wesely Clark who so profoundly embarrassed himself on Face the Nation.

His criticism of McCain's qualifications for President are silly and reflect a career in which he ordered the bombing of civilians and yucked it up with a war criminal when he swapped hats (covers) with a Serbian general who was identified by international authorities as a war criminal.

More importantly, why hasn't Clark criticized John Fitzgerald Kennedy's record as a "war hero" that was trumpeted by Democrats as an important qualification as a Presidential candidate. All he did was lose his command, a PT boat to the Japanese.

The shoe is now on the other foot so the Democratic smear artists -- all seven of them -- have hit the bricks with a smear McCain campaign. This, on behalf of a man who didn't see fit to
serve the United States in any capacity.

Semper Fi, Obamacan.

Hale and Walker wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:29 AM:Blog Editor, why didn't you print my blog submitted approx one hour ago? You've done this several times over the last two weeks. Please print my blog.

A. Rose wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:36 AM:In retrospect, the “Carbon allowance” is a brilliant redistribution of wealth!

Who has the largest carbon footprints? The Gulfstream Liberals!

Who has the smallest carbon footprints? The homeless!

The homeless can sell their carbon allowances to Arnold and AlGore!

Brilliant!

The homeless will soon be able to buy McMansions, and end the real estate crises – just on Gulfstream Liberals money!

Smashing!

DD Wiz wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:36 AM:The post from "A. Rose" (7:41am) exemplifies another victim of the Big Oil propaganda.
Don't you see? Bush/McCain and their Big Oil cronies have you just where they want you.
They have driven the price of oil up to almost $5 a gallon, and they have you screaming in more desperation for more drilling! Just what they want!
They want the gullible American public clamoring for more oil drilling, when that has NOTHING to do with the price of gas!
Here are the factors that contribute to high gas costs:
1. Devaluation of the dollar by the Bush Treasury Dept.
2. Allowing oil companies to "sit on" millions of acres of already-approved drilling sites, including the National Petroleum Reserve adjacent to, but much larger than, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) which the Big Oil Bullies covet control of.
3. Allowing oil drilled from federal leases to be sold to foreign markets such as China and India (prior to the Energy Policy Act of 1992, passed by, wouldn't ya know it, Oilman GHW Bush), preference had to be given to domestic markets).
4. Deregulation of speculative investing in oil futures (spearheaded by former Sen. Phil Gramm R-TX, now McCain's top economic advisor).
5. Failure to enact higher CAFE standards.
6. Domestic fuel supplies diverted to the failed war in Iraq.
7. Iraqi oil production interrupted by resentful locals not greeting us as "liberators."

We do not need more drilling sites. At worst, oil producers can use the sites they are already sitting on. If you are trying to get out of a hole, STOP DIGGING! If you are trying to free yourself of an oil addiction, STOP DRILLING. The clean little secret the energy bullies don't want you to know is that the long-range solution is our ample supply of free, clean, renewable energy, such as houses powered by solar panels, and new electric cars such as the Aptera being produced locally, in Carlsbad. Many "can't do" pessimists say these are not feasible, but they are a reality now! Wouldn't it be nice to smile and wave as you drive your solar-charged car past gas stations?

Bill wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:41 AM:Chuck

The will of the people is reserved EXCLUSIVELY for issues that do not violate the rights of others.

The courts can only play a role when individual rights are violated.

Otherwise, they have no role due to no cause of action. The case would get dismissed by showing the plaintiffs failed to state a cause of action.

To bring a case in civil court, the Plaintiff must state a cause of action and then prove the elements with relevant, credible, and admissable evidence.

There is nothing fascist or tyranical about that.

That is how the framers drew it up and it is what protects your rights too.

Be careful what you ask for because bad precedent creates a slippery slope. In the future, some dirt ball attorney or judge can use that legal theory to make a perverted argument on some other matter.

That is what makes for bad law and thats exactly how things get screwed up like they are.

This is a 14th ammendment issue and for that reason, the courts have a role.

What you speak of is called the "Tyranny of the Majority" or "Majoritarianism".

The framers warned us against the dangers of that type of system and set up the republic to prevent it.

That is as American as it comes and it personifies American values.

Yet youre against it?

Wow!

OBAMACAN wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:44 AM:There goes SDRaoul again, 8:24 a.m., peddling his usual slime and disinformation.
First, he continues to link himself with those who misrepresent Clark's statements, while also misrepresenting others' views. Neither I nor Obama are "linked" with Clark. Clark was a long-time supporter of Hillary, appearing with her at almost every campaign stop. He was not a supporter of Obama and was not, and still is not, officially on the campaign. Like many Hillary supporters, now that she is out of the race, he is supporting Obama as an independent private citizen.
Then he tries to compare McCain's failure with JFK's heroism. Sorry, McBus, "you're no John Kennedy." Kennedy did not receive his decorations for having his boat lost to a battle, but for his leadership in ensuring the survival of his men.

Bill wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:47 AM:Unfortunately for Wesley Clark, he has no credibility after praising Bush right after his retirement.

He has shown himself to be inconsistent on a lot of other things too. Things that he has said and written.

He also comes across as a nutcase when he talks of conspiracy type stuff.

Oh, and did I mention he has an ax to grind after being forced to retire?

He hurt Kerry and will hurt Obama too.

I wouldnt be riding on his reputation because its not very good.

SOLON is right again wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:49 AM:SOLON's description of punitive damages is exactly right. That's the REASON for the category: to PUNISH. It's the reason why the punitive damages you have to pay if you collide with someone are so much less than if that same collision had been caused by a Safeway truck. SOLON also makes an excellent point about who the damages go to. This never made sense to me, but not being a lawyer, I have no idea how something like this would be corrected. I strongly believe that punitive damages SHOULD be painful, but I see NO reason why those damages should be paid to the plaintiff. If punitive damages could rationally be paid to the community, meaning in some form pertinent to the offense, I would guess that frivolous suits would decrease in numbers. It's because there can be SUCH an enormous payoff by going after the deep pockets, which is where the huge punitive damages come from, that entices people to sue. How would this aspect of the law be changed? Anyone know?

Focal Point wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:50 AM:sdraoul: Please identify the rank, full name of the Serbian General and the date of the alleged occurrence of swapping hats? By the way, was this before or after the Serbian general was accuses of war crimes?

SOLON wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:51 AM:== Personal CO2 rations ==
What an ingenious idea!! (A. Rose 7:52 AM) We used this idea during WW II and it worked. I remember when every family was given sugar rationing stamps, and my mother, because she had four children, got more stamps than our country landlords, who were a childless couple. So my mother traded sugar stamps for rent or fresh beans and okra. We kids were healthier without the sugar and with the okra and beans. We helped mother cut okra and pick beans and we got a better deal from Mr. Sykes, our landlord.

Let consumerism and capitalism work on the individual level instead of the corporate level and people work out their own magical solutions to the benefit of all. Capitalism does not work well when controlled at the corporate level.

Bill wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:53 AM:DD Wiz

You forgot that the Chineese demand has driven prices up too.

Oops.....

Yeah, its all Bush.

Ok if you say so......

That was a weak argument when worldwide demand is up.

But youre telling me that increasing domestic supply wont effect prices?

Where did you learn economics?

Didja catch it again wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:53 AM:As expected, raoul the Marine chimes in against Wesley Clark, misrepresenting what Clark said and, desperate to find SOMETHING wrong with criticizing McCain, he chastises Clark for not criticizing JFK. Um, raoul, might it be because JFK is not running for office right now? Do you honestly feel that Clark was obliged to discuss the military records of everyone who ever ran for office when being interviewed about McCain? LOL Attacking JFK, and falsely at that, of course, is the best you can come up with, raoul? OMG, too pathetic.

Didja catch it is right on wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:04 AM:Sadly, if neo-cons had it their way, if it could be proven that any serviceman killed in Viet Nam either:a) was agaisnt the war, or b)ever voted Democratic, they would want their names scratched of "the Wall".

Focal Point wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:13 AM:sdraoul: Guess your slow in obtaining requested info. The Servian General was Ratko Mladic. He, Clark and a British Gen Rose met in August, 1944. Exchanging hats was no big deal at the time. Mladic was not accusses of of war crimes until 1995. Clark did not criticise McCain's war service at all.He did question his ability to be Commander in Chief. So do I. What about JFK. You are just one of those Rove slight of hand people. You try to dodge the subject by bringing someone or something up totaly unrealted. Why would Clark be critical of JFK? JFK is not running for President is he? Of course not, JFK is deceased. No one has to smear John McCain.
Semper Fi

DD Wiz wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:16 AM:The post from "Bill" (8:53am) shows another misdirected conservative who might have had a more effective post if he had been more careful in reading the post he claimed to be responding to:
1. You say I "forgot that the Chinese demand has driven prices up too."
No, "Bill," in my point #3 I specifically mentioned the demand from China, and India, too. I noted that Bush's oilman daddy repealed the requirement that American oil companies who use American public land oil leases satisfy American demand first. Without that, there is nothing to stop them from drilling offshore, or in ANWR, or in the 33 million acres they are currently "sitting on" (Senate report's words), and then diverting our American resources to satisfy exactly the Chinese (and Indian) demand you referred to.
2. I did not merely say that "increasing deomsteic supply won't affect prices." I noted that granting additional oil leases won't, not until they use up the leases they are already "sitting on." And please refer to point one above.

To restate and paraphrase your own question:
Where did you learn economics?
Where did you learn to read?

SOLON wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:16 AM:== Redistribution of Wealth ==

This is a rosy idea. Let’s put capitalism to work at the individual level rather than under the ALMIGHTY control of corporations as suggested by A. Rose - 8:36 AM).

Distribute “Carbon allowances” to individuals every month, and let them make their own best interest decision as to how they utilize them. IT WILL WORK! If the poor want to trade their carbon allowances to Schwarzenegger, so be it. That should be a decision made between individuals, not by some corporate bureaucrat.

The air and the future of this planet belong equally to all of us.

Bill wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:17 AM:Punitive damages are meant to punish but Exxon would have been insane to admit.

By doing so, they would open themselves up to other future litigation that could be brought by others claiming to be damaged collateraly. This issue was fully litigated and because of that, Exxon would have been barred by law from denying all facts estalished in that case.

This is called Collateral Estoppel.

However, I do not believe that Res Judicata would be an applicable affirmative defense for Exxon on future claims.

Res Judicata bars people from suing for the same thing twice.

By admitting it, they would have no defenses to anything no matter how obscene.

I stand corrected on my earlier claim of negligence being the standard.Exxon has what they call "Strict Liability" in these cases. Strict liability is a very broad form of legal accountability. Strict liability standards are what are applied to awarding damages and it is not necessary to prove negligence or malice for damages to be awarded.

The mere violation is enough to warrant damages. This applies to the actual damages so they were mandated by statute to pay those.

The other poster nailed it when he said that the punitives were in addition to the actual damages. Negligence is a standard to prove for punitives since they are based on the extent of Exxons failure to honor its civic duty to prevent this.

The negligence standard does not apply to the actual damages and only applies to the punitives.

The comparison of colliding with Safeway truck is not accurate since Safeway could claim a defense and Exxon couldnt. Safeway would not have a strict liabilty standard held to them and the plaintriff would receive damages awarded in direct proprtion to their negligence.

Apples and oranges.

Chuckles wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:20 AM:Bloggers like Ron & Chuck are merely examples of the end-of-email tools being used by the Republican smear machine created and mastered by Rove beginning in 2K. They have dutifully re-printed the lies they have been told in local blogs knowing that if told often enough, the uninformed voter will believe it and follow them over the cliff. Please everyone, be independent thinkers, read more than one news source, and make informed political decisions, America can only get stronger for it.

Focal Point wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:22 AM:Bill[-] wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:53 AM:
It is quite simple. The domestic supply will not effect the world market. There is not enough oil. Also, the oil companies are going to sell the American oil on the world market. Where did you get the idea that the corporations and the oil companies were going to sell American oil to Americans for less? You need to answer your own question?

Request for Bill wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:23 AM:I would respectfully ask Bill to stop using what amounts to double spacing in his posts. They take up a lot of space and seem rude (I would guess without Bill's intent), almost like posting in CAPS, as attention-getting. Please, Bill, don't skip those lines. Thanks for considering this.

SOLON wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:23 AM:== Credit belongs to the WIZ ==

The provocative and rational ideas about punitive damages belongs to THE WIZ, not to me, although I agree TOTALLY with the wizard. DD Wiz is the wizard when it come to energy and law.

Thanks, just the same. (error: 8:49 AM)

Chuckles wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:24 AM:Chuck wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:00 AM: I happpen to agree with you on this one Chuck, except that conservatives are lying just as fast and loud as the liberals. We have no politicians on our side when they are trying to suck up to these racists for votes.

Alf wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:26 AM:Well, "Bill" at 8:53AM, if increasing domestic supply meant that said increased supply was sold only in America, then it might lower prices domestically. The truth is, as I see it because that's the way it is, that oil is sold on and in an international market which is manipulated by "futures" speculators and by oil-rich countries restricting their output.
Consider, if you will, the money that the California Lottery contributes to our schools. That money was supposed to be OVER AND ABOVE the amount that the state allotted for education, yet our Legislators in Sacramento pulled a fast one on us, they reduced the budgeted money for education by the amount that the Lottery contributed. The result WAS AND IS that there is no net gain for education from the Lottery.
So it will also be if we increase our domestic output of oil. NO net price reduction at the gas pump because the oil will be sold at international prices. The only ones who will benefit from more domestic drilling and pumping are the oil companies. I would like nothing better than to be proven wrong, but I suggest that we wait and see.
One of us will have to eat crow, I hope it's me, but if it's you then we all have lost, haven't we? Regards, Alf.

Chuck wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:27 AM:>>>Enlightened societies accept homosexuals.>>> You put the cart before the horse, as liberals will never call you enlightened unless you buy into the gay agenda. I don't need to be "enlighteded" or light in the loafers or whatever other cute words are used

SOLON wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:47 AM:== NIXON did it! ==
No, Bill (8:53 AM). Nixon is responsible for high gas prices. Nixon opened up the gates to China and Capitalism flooded in as a “great sucking sound”. Nixon was a traitor to American hegemony. He should be impeached again posthumously for pushing the button that started up the gargantuan Chinese manufacturing machine, which is guzzling up the world’s oil.

Bush, however, is an empty peanut compared to Nixon. Nixon is a far greater historical character than Bush. Now Nixon was a man with STYLE! Kind of like Napolean, you know. But if we impeach Nixon again posthumously, what would be the just punishment for BUSH? Let’s have some accountability and justice in this land.

PROBLEM: we don’t punish mental retards in this country because they are not responsible what they do.
HA HA HA

to OBSERVATION wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:49 AM:Thanks for the laugh this morning about McCain's promise to balance the budget. How someone who says they want to continue just about all of Bush's policies and wars and also balance the budget, when those policies and wars have caused a record deficit is pretty comical. I guess we have to wait for raoul to explain how such a thing is possible, and if it is possible, why Bush didn't do it already. And not only that, McCain seems to want us to think he can do this with a Democratic Congress. Sounds like early Alzheimer's to me, or some kind of dementia. On the other hand, if he thinks he's serious, it can only mean one thing: he wants to cut every single safety net and other public welfare and safety program to about zero. FDA? Dept of Education? Health and Human Services? Social Security? All history. Yes, this is what most Americans want, as long as we keep getting to have unjustified wars. Great idea, John.

chuck wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:04 AM:The news is reporting::: 'Old' vs 'change': Voters associate candidates with words.

To Hussein the word change is not a verb, it is what paychecks will contain after he taxes all the employers to death should the morons elect him. The choice is simple: Hussein or your job.

LiberalsLoveClarks wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:07 AM:First, the liberals sent Ramsey Clark and a slew of ACLU lawyers over to Iraq to try to free Saddam Hussein. Now they are paying Wesley Clark to spew more America hate

Senor McCain and wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:28 AM:Senor Obama both must go. Both are for keeping our troops in Iraq to protect the oil industry and both can't decide if they are more comfortable in America or Mexico.

Draftee wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:39 AM:Didja catch it is right on I wonder if any of those drafted were pro war?

Floyd wrote on Jul 7, 2008 11:46 AM:Using oil to create fuel, lubricants, plastics, nylon, and more is not an addiction.

to LiberalsLoveClarks wrote on Jul 7, 2008 12:00 PM:This is fascinating: did you actually hear or read what Wesley Clark said? I didn't think so, but before you spout about something, you ought to make sure you know what that something is. Clark praised McCain's heroism and military career. He just didn't see how that experience prepared someone for the Presidency. Not a controverial remark at all if you give it a moment's thought. This is "hate America"? How? To my mind, since elections are a democratic process, anyone who lies about our candidates is the America-hater because their goal is specifically and deliberately to undermine democracy being steered by an informed electorate.

Ms M wrote on Jul 7, 2008 12:01 PM:Senor McCain and
[-] wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:28 AM:Senor Obama both must go. Both are for keeping our troops in Iraq to protect the oil industry...Please tell me where you read/heard that Obama wants to keep the troops in Iraq. Thanks in advance for your response.

SOLON wrote on Jul 7, 2008 12:08 PM:== Chuck is late hoisting Obama’s banner today ==
Chuck, my dear boy. Where have you been? It’s 10:04 AM and you just raised the banner proclaiming Barack GOOD BLESSING Obama’s noble name? Perhaps you just forgot. You forgiven, for you are normally so dependable to remind us very early every day.

Some presidents were know simply by their initials, such as FDR, JFK and LBJ. We almost forget what those initials stand for, such as Delano, Fitzgerald and Baines.

But history does not forget their real names, nor will history forget the noble name of Barack derived from “Baruch”, which means “Blessed” in Hebrew.
(Perhaps you have heard of Baruch the son of Neraiah, from the Bible.) Nor will history forget the good name of HUSSEIN, which means “GOOD or HANDSOME in its Hebrew form.

Thank you, again, every so much, Chuck for your diligent educational effort. We all appreciate your diligent good intentions to eradicate racism and anti-Semitism from our homeland.

Focal Point wrote on Jul 7, 2008 12:10 PM:chuck[-] wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:04 AM:By the way, what has GWB done about the loss of over 67,000 jobs last month?

Floyd is right wrote on Jul 7, 2008 12:17 PM:Our addiction is not to oil, but to a certain lifestyle that is a recent thing, post WWII. It's about consumerism gone wild and the resulting gluttony and waste. It's bad for the world and bad for our characters. If we decide to insist, as we have done, that we MUST perpetuate this way of life, we will increasingly destroy the world and ourselves. We in the middle class has simply moved to Disneyland, demanding that the world entertain us 24/7. We've become as little children, as greedy and destructive, and we have the power to banish all potential parents from our sights. This is not, I am sure, what the greatest generation lived and died for.

DD Wiz wrote on Jul 7, 2008 12:22 PM:The post from "SOLON" (9:23am) means well and is greatly appreciated, but please check the post you are referring to at 8:49am about punitive damages meaning to PUNISH, and you will see that the actual post was from my good friend "Apollo" (8:09am).
As for the post from "Floyd" (11:46am), perhaps if we restored the mandate to sell all oil drilled on federal land leases domestically, and used alternative energy sources, then the oil produced here would be enough for our plastics. And, by the way, if all cars were electric, the dem